NASA’s Artemis-1 launch to the Moon
- Recently NASA has launched Artemis-1 on Moon after 50 years of Apollo mission. Artemis-1 will be the first integrated test of NASA’s deep space exploration systems.
- These systems include the Orion spacecraft and the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket.
- It is the first in a series of complex missions planned in preparation for sending humans to the Moon and Mars.
Objectives of Artemis 1
- To demonstrate that Orion’s heat shield can withstand high speeds and high temperatures when returning through Earth’s atmosphere.
- The radiation-rich environment of deep space will be studied for missions to the Moon and beyond.
- Recovering Orion after splashdown. With this, engineers will be able to get information for future missions.
- Flight test objectives such as validation of Orion’s optical navigation system, placement of CubeSats (miniature satellites), etc. will be accomplished.
- Artemis-2: It is planned to be launched in the year 2024. It will be a manned mission. This vehicle will orbit the Moon, but will not land on its surface.
- Artemis-3: It is planned to be launched in the year 2026. Under this, the manned spacecraft will land on the south pole of the Moon.
Other Lunar Exploration Missions
- Luna 2: It was the first spacecraft to land on the Moon. This spacecraft was launched by the former Soviet Union (USSR).
- Apollo 11: It was the first manned mission to land on the Moon. This was the mission of the United States of America.
- Chandrayaan 1: It was launched in the year 2008 by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).
Source – The Hindu
