The engines ignited with a thunder that rattled the Florida coast, and for the first time in over half a century, humans began the journey back toward the moon — not to land, but to pave the way for everything that comes next.
On April 1, the Artemis II crew launched its spacecraft into the Earth’s atmosphere and began a operation that would last 10 days. More specifically: nine days, one hour, 32 minutes and 15 seconds.
Four years ago, NASA took the steps to establish a permanent base on the moon. Artemis I’s mission was a test drive. NASA sent up an uncrewed spacecraft to circle the moon twice before returning to Earth.
Artemis I launched on Nov. 16, 2022. The mission lasted 25 days, and the empty spacecraft successfully splashed down in the Pacific Ocean on Dec. 11. The flight test traveled approximately 1.4 million miles while orbiting the moon.
Determined to make history, NASA prepared to send four astronauts back into space — something it hasn’t done since December 1972 with the Apollo 17 mission.
The Artemis II crew included Cmdr. Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover and mission specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen.
In the future, Artemis II will help scientists. LPC astronomy professor Amanda Brown emphasized these trips will allow for new insight on the moon.
“Once we land on the moon in 2028, the human experience will significantly broaden our understanding of the moon,” Brown explained. “We will test our ability to survive and thrive on a moon that has very different conditions (than) Earth.”
Brown added that while the Apollo missions of the ‘60s and ‘70s saw humans on the moon, the time spent there was extremely limited. “The Artemis missions will have astronauts live there and create a permanent lunar base — no easy feat,” Brown said.
People may assume the moon is cold and dry in climate. In reality, it has a wide range of temperatures — as cold as minus 450 degrees Fahrenheit and as hot as 250 degrees Fahrenheit.
According to Brown, the Artemis missions aren’t just about expanding knowledge and establishing human presence. “The moon (has) a wealth of critical minerals and elements that we need on Earth,” Brown said. “Elements such as helium, … silicon, titanium, precious metals and so much more.”
Despite Artemis I and II focusing on orbiting the moon, the mission’s ultimate goal is to make it to Mars. And since the moon is a little less than 250,000 miles away — you can squeeze 30 Earths in that distance — baby steps must be taken before going full throttle.
“We can use the moon as a launch point to explore the rest of the solar system, opening up exploration of other planets in ways that are impossible now, but likely in the future,” Brown said.
Brown also emphasized the importance of Mars and its resources. “There is growing evidence that microbial life once existed there billions of years ago — and a possibility that life might still be there even today under the surface,” she said.
Yes, there are tiny robot rovers venturing over Mars’ surface and satellites soaking up its atmosphere right now. This series of Artemis missions will not only explore more of space, but also sets humanity up to potentially answer the big question: Are we truly alone in this universe?
“I, for one, am excited to find the answer to that question,” Brown said. “Where do we go next in the solar system? That’s for us to decide. Our solar system is a wealth of scientific discoveries, resources, energy and critical minerals. It’s time for us to think beyond our own home and go exploring the new frontier.”
NASA and Artemis are just getting started. The first steps to a bright future in space exploration are already in place.
So buckle up. Because we have a chance to make history.
***
TOP PHOTO: Artemis II NASA astronauts (left to right) Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen stand in the white room on the crew access arm of the mobile launcher at Launch Pad 39B as part of an integrated ground systems test at Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023. The test ensures the ground systems team is ready to support the crew timeline on launch day. (Photo by Frank Michaux/NASA)
Maggie Vander Ende is a staff writer for The Express. Follow her on Instagram @maggie.vanderende.
