NASA’s newest spacecraft heads for the moon in February

The unmanned mission is just the prelude to more: a manned mission to the moon!

For the past few years, NASA has been working diligently on the promising Orion capsule. And big plans lie ahead for this spaceship. Think missions deep into our solar system. Now the very first launch is very close. Because NASA has announced that it will set course for the moon with Orion in February.

About Orion
After NASA retired the space shuttle in 2011, after years of loyal service, the American space agency had no spacecraft at its disposal. We had to wait for the new showpiece of the Americans. And that’s Orion. NASA ushers in a new era in space travel with Orion. No trips to the ISS, but manned space trips to Mars, asteroids and perhaps other planets as well. In short, Orion was developed for great things: missions deep into our solar system. It is a real reconnaissance vessel with which we will hopefully take the well-known final frontier quite a bit further. The first stop, however, will be the moon, where Orion will deliver astronauts for the first time since the Apollo missions.

Artistic impression of Orion spacecraft near the moon. Image: NASA

Engineers and technicians recently successfully mounted the Orion spacecraft on the Space Launch System rocket (the largest launch vehicle ever developed). A big milestone. “Now that NASA’s Space Launch System rocket and the Orion spacecraft are linked, we are getting closer to the beginning of a new era of human exploration deep into our solar system,” said NASA CEO Bill Nelson.

Artemis 1 Mission

But we are not there yet. The integrated system is now entering the final phase of preparations for an upcoming unmanned test flight to the moon. During this mission, known as Artemis 1, the Orion capsule and the Space Launch System rocket will be put into orbit around the moon to properly test the system. And now we also know when this is about to happen. Because NASA’s newest spacecraft will set sail for the moon in February.

Milestone

“It’s hard to put into words what this milestone means,” said Mike Bolger on behalf of NASA. “Our team has shown tremendous dedication in preparing for the launch of Artemis 1. While there is still work to be done to make the launch – think of various tests – seeing a connected SLS is a big reward for all of us. ”

NASA has successfully paired the Orion spacecraft with the Space Launch System rocket. Image: NASA

Indeed, because even though the Orion capsule is attached to the SLS rocket, there are still plenty of tests ahead of the actual takeoff.

Tests

For example, in the run-up to Artemis 1, all parts will be thoroughly checked to ensure that everything works properly. Plus, the team will be put to the test quite a bit, so they’ll be ready for any scenario that could unfold on launch day. The last dress rehearsal is a so-called ‘wet dress rehearsal’. During this very last test, the rocket is filled with fuel and driven to the launch pad. Then there is an enthusiastic countdown – just like with a real launch – to practice this part well. If this dress rehearsal goes smoothly, a more precise target date for the actual launch will be set.

Artemis program

The planned Artemis 1 mission is the start of the long-awaited Artemis program, which focuses on the human return to the moon. Not only will American astronauts once again land on the moon in the near future, a woman and the first person of color will also set foot on the moon for the first time. But the planning is step by step. For example, after the planned unmanned flight to the moon, there will be a manned test flight to our natural satellite – known as Artemis 2 – where a four-person crew will circle the moon. And then the real work follows: the first moon landing in more than fifty years.

But that is still future music. First, NASA’s eyes are on the upcoming Artemis 1 mission. Because this mission will form the basis for further exploration of space. And eventually the Artemis missions will be the springboard to Mars; the knowledge and skills gained during manned missions to the moon can also be used to make a manned mission to Mars a reality. It therefore promises to be a promising era, in which missions deep into our solar system will become possible.