A new stage in the exploration of the Moon is about to begin. The Artemis Program POT It seeks to take the first woman and the next man to the Earth’s natural satellite, and the first mission is expected to be sent this Monday, this time unmanned and only up to lunar orbit.
It is expected that for the Artemis III Mission, designated astronauts will already be able to reach the surface of the Moon.
Let’s know the technological keys of the NASA program for the return to our natural satellite.
The Space Launch System mega rocket
It is the largest and most powerful rocket ever built, almost 100 meters high and with a load capacity of 130 tons, providing 8.8 million pounds of thrust. The SLS uses four RS-25 engines in the central stage.
Its first vehicle (Block 1) can send more than 27 metric tons into orbits beyond the Moon.
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It uses twin five-segment solid rocket boosters and four RS-25 liquid propellant engines. After reaching space, the Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage (ICPS) will send Orion to the Moon.
the orion ship
Built by Lockheed Martin in 2014, can gather four astronauts inside. It uses a propulsion system made up of twelve motors, called reaction control system thrusters. It can last 21 days without docking with another spacecraft.
The Helga, Zohar and Comandante Campos dummies
They are fundamental to know the effects of the radiation of the lunar orbit in the bodies, especially the one of the woman, for having more delicate parts. Helga, Zohar and Comandante Campos are the three mannequins that will go aboard the Artemis I Mission: the first two are called “ghost mannequins”, since they are only made up of torsos; the last one is complete and has the special suit for the trip. They all use sensors to measure radiation.
The lunar module HLS
known as Starship HLS (Human Landing System), is a reusable manned lunar lander created by SpaceX. It is expected to be ready by 2024, and will help the first woman and the next man to reach the surface of the Moon.
This module would dock in lunar orbit with NASA’s Orion spacecraft or Gateway.
The Gateway Lunar Orbital Platform
The peculiarity of the Artemis Program is not only that it sends the first woman to the Moon, but also that it seeks to create the first space station in lunar orbit. Hence, NASA seeks to know the effects of radiation in the area, for long-term missions.
NASA will build the Gateway Lunar Orbital Platform, which in the agency’s words “will serve as a multi-purpose outpost in orbit around the Moon, providing essential support for long-term human return.”
Gateway will also serve as a launching point for deep space exploration.