To the Moon! Countdown to the Artemis I Launch
UPDATE: Today's planned Artemis I Launch has been cancelled due to technical issues with one of the engines. The next potential launch window is this coming Friday, September 2nd from 12:48pm-2:48pm.
On Monday, August 29, NASA hopes to take a major step toward returning humans to the moon with the launch of Artemis I. This is the first mission for NASA’s Artemis program, whose primary goal is to send humans to the lunar surface for the first time since December 1972. NASA is committed to ensuring the Artemis will bring the first woman and first person of color to the lunar surface. This first launch is scheduled to happen in a launch window from 8:33 am EDT to 10:33 am EDT on Monday, August 29.
While this mission is uncrewed, (i.e. there will be no humans on board), it will be an important test of many of the systems that will be vital for the eventual crewed missions circa 2024. This includes the 322-ft.-tall Space Launch System (SLS), the most powerful rocket built since the Saturn V which powered the original moon landings in the 1960’s and 70’s. Additionally, it will be a critical test of the Orion spacecraft, the capsule which will one day hold the astronauts. The 42-day long mission will see Orion orbiting the moon before returning to Earth, landing in the Pacific Ocean.
Should there be any issues, there are launch windows planned for Friday, September 2 and Monday, September 5 as well. To watch along, visit NASA’s website nasa.gov/nasalive which will go live starting at 6:30 am EDT.
To learn more about the Artemis program, as well as everything else new in space, check out our “What’s Next in Space” show in America’s largest planetarium. Get tickets now!
