VIDEO Nasa Moon mission Artemis gets go ahead to launch – BBC News

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Nasa Moon mission Artemis gets go ahead to launch – BBC News
In a thrilling update, NASA has received the go-ahead to launch its Artemis I mission, marking a significant step toward returning humans to the Moon for the first time in over 50 years. Slated for lift-off on August 29, 2022, at 8:33 AM Eastern Time, this mission represents the dawn of a new era in space exploration with its Space Launch System (SLS) rocket—described as the most powerful rocket ever built by NASA.
The Artemis I mission involves an uncrewed flight that will test essential functions of the rocket and its Orion crew capsule. In a significant move, the SLS rocket measures approximately 100 meters tall, roughly equivalent to a 32-story building, and requires immense power to escape Earth's gravity. This involves not just the rocket's four main engines but also two sizable boosters, making fuel approximately 90% of the rocket's total weight.
NASA aims to set the stage for future lunar exploration, including sending the first woman and the first person of color to the Moon. Following liftoff from the historic launch pad 39B at Cape Canaveral—a site rich in space history—the Orion spacecraft will embark on a 380,000-kilometer journey to the Moon. The mission is designed to evaluate the spacecraft's performance in lunar orbit and to collect critical data for future manned missions.
As per the mission timeline, after entering low Earth orbit and executing trajectory corrections, Orion will approach the Moon and conduct a close flyby before eventually returning to Earth. The spacecraft must re-enter Earth's atmosphere at a precise angle to avoid incineration, underscoring the mission's complexity and risk.
This mission not only symbolizes NASA's return to Moon exploration but also showcases the agency's competitive edge in a landscape where private companies such as SpaceX and Blue Origin are increasingly in the spotlight.
The excitement surrounding Artemis is palpable, echoing the historic Apollo missions of the past. As highlighted during the flight readiness briefing, the Artemis program aims to rekindle the spirit of exploration that characterized NASA's earlier successes while setting ambitious goals for the future.
Whether you're a space enthusiast or just curious about human exploration beyond Earth, the Artemis I mission is certainly a milestone worth following. It's set to reignite imaginations and aspirations for what we can achieve in the cosmos.
What are your thoughts on the Artemis mission and its ambitions? Are you excited about a new chapter in lunar exploration? Share your perspectives below!
 


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