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Since the Apollo program which landed the first humans on the Moon, we have not yet returned to our satellite friend in person. The Artemis program is looking to change that, by aiming to land the first woman and person of color on the Moon (NASA, 2024a).
(NASA)
The Artemis Program: Main Goals
The program looks to meet three main goals: scientific discovery, economic benefits, and inspiring a new generation.
The Moon has lots of potential for scientific discoveries. For instance, the existence of volatile chemicals on the Moon’s south pole can give insight into the origins of these chemicals and even the history of the solar system (Mahoney, 2022).
The Artemis program also looks to provide economic benefits by fueling new and existing industries, such as the commercial space industry. This will provide new job opportunities in these fields, supporting the demand for a skilled workforce. NASA, through the program, will also engage with new audiences such as youths interested in space, as well as new commercial and international partners (NASA, 2024b).
Paving the Way to Mars
Due to its low gravity making launches to Mars easier and cheaper, the Moon is expected to act as an important base for future Mars missions. Artemis, on top of its existing goals, will also explore human habitability and construction on the Moon.
The technology developed and knowledge gained throughout the program is expected to greatly contribute to our quest to Mars. For instance, learning how to extract ice on the Moon and convert it into water and fuel via ISRU (In-Situ Resource Utilization) can make exploration, including missions to Mars, more efficient and affordable. Instead of bringing fuel from Earth to the Moon, it can instead be manufactured on the Moon itself.
Timeline: What to Expect
Artemis I, the first mission of the program, was an uncrewed lunar flight test that occurred in 2022. The successful mission will pave the way for future crewed missions and the eventual landing on the Moon.
Artemis II is scheduled to launch in April 2026. It will be the first crewed mission, to test that the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft operate as expected with crew members on board.
The first actual surface landing will be Artemis III, scheduled to launch in 2027. It will send the first humans to explore the south pole of the Moon (NASA, 2024b).
Conclusion
The Artemis mission will be crucial in humanity’s quest of space exploration. From developing lunar bases to preparing to send humans to Mars, the program is an excellent opportunity to advance in space technology and science. It will also reignite humanity’s passion for exploration, and inspire a new generation of future engineers and astronauts.
Reference List
Mahoney, E. (2022). Moon’s South Pole is Full of Mystery, Science, Intrigue - NASA. [online] NASA. Available at: https://www.nasa.gov/humans-in-space/moons-south-pole-is-full-of-mystery-science-intrigue/ [Accessed 1 Feb. 2025].
NASA (2024a). Artemis - NASA. [online] NASA. Available at: https://www.nasa.gov/feature/artemis/ [Accessed 1 Feb. 2025].
NASA (2024b). Artemis - NASA. [online] nasa.gov. Available at: https://www.nasa.gov/humans-in-space/artemis/ [Accessed 1 Feb. 2025].
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