NASA aims to land humans on the Moon, build a Lunar Gateway

Sci-Tech Desk: Nasa’s Artemis II mission has completed successfully with the astronauts safely returning back to the Earth. During its nine-day voyage flying around the Moon, it became the first crewed mission since Apollo mission in 1972 to travel beyond the low Earth orbit and explore the other side of the moon that is not visible from the Earth.

The mission that comprised of three astronauts, including a woman, was also used to conduct numerous scientific experiments. Among others, it tested the preparedness of the Orion Spacecraft for future space adventures and the possibility of living and working in the Moon.

Following the groundbreaking success of the mission, NASA is aiming for three more Artemis missions in the coming years. The next mission which is Artemis III is apparently set to take place in the mid-2027. It intends to land human on the Moon for the first time since Apollo 17 and study the possibility of ice and water on the south pole of the Moon. The mission might include the first woman and the first coloured person to step on the lunar surface.

After this comes the Artemis IV that might possibly launch in 2028. Its goal is to land another set of astronauts on the Lunar surface who would deliver and assemble modules to build a Lunar Gateway orbiting the moon. The aim of the gateway would be to support future space missions and scientific experiments.

This would lead to the fifth version of the mission – Artemis V in 2029. It will also comprise of a human landing on the Moon, deliver and assemble new modules for the for the Luner Gateway, and further strengthen the preparedness for future explorations and mission to the planet Mars.

Source: space.com