The NASA Artemis I moon mission launched on Wednesday after a lengthy delay. The launch acts as a precursor for the next human-manned mission to our planet’s nearest neighbor.
Before it launched this month, the unmanned space mission encountered several setbacks. Running under the Space Launch System, the rocket towers gloriously at 322 feet. Then, at 1:47 AM, the Artemis rocket lifted off the Florida ground with a thrust of almost 9 million pounds.
When it leaves the atmosphere of Earth, the Orion spacecraft will finish its goal of journeying around the moon. Orion was built to transport humans, but NASA had to put the crew’s security first.
If all works as planned, Orion will go 1.3 million miles from Earth, the furthest a spaceship meant for humans has ever journeyed. In addition, it includes special mannequins that would assist the scientists at NASA in gathering critical data to support humans once they embark on Artemis II.
The spacecraft will then return after finishing one orbit of the moon. According to NASA’s estimation, the floating engine will re-enter Earth on December 11 near the coast of San Diego. The journey would last roughly 25.5 days.
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Pre-flight delays of Artemis I
The team in charge of the Artemis I mission encountered numerous difficulties before eventually launching. For instance, NASA postponed its scheduled September departure because of an engine leakage. In addition, two storms impacted the country, which prolonged the mission.
NASA must start the launch under ideal conditions of calm weather for the best probability of success. But unfortunately, the problems kept happening, so NASA sent out its “red crew,” which consists of professionals charged with resolving the rocket’s problems.
“We do not launch until we think it’s right. These teams have labored over that, which is their conclusion. I look at this as part of our space program, in which safety is the top of the list,” said NASA administrator Bill Nelson.
“The rocket, it’s alive, it’s creaking, its making venting noises — it’s pretty scary. So my heart was pumping. My nerves were going, but yeah, we showed up today. When we walked up the stairs, we were ready to rock and roll,” said a red crew member.
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Another milestone for humans
Another victory for humanity has been achieved with the Artemis I flight. And it gives NASA one more inch ahead to finishing the second manned mission to the moon. After launching Artemis into the air, NASA staff and crew members rejoiced.
“Well, for once, I might be speechless. I have talked a lot about appreciating the moment that you’re in. And we have worked hard as a team. You guys have worked hard as a team to this moment. This is your moment,” said Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, the launch director of the mission.
“As we embark on the first Artemis test flight, we recall this agency’s storied past, but our eyes are focused not on the immediate future but out there,” Nelson said months ago.
“It’s a future where NASA will land the first woman and the first person of color on the moon. And on these increasingly complex missions, astronauts will live and work in deep space, and we’ll develop the science and technology to send the first humans to Mars.”
