Artemis Mission 2024: first crew and new spacesuits!
Ladies and gentlemen, space enthusiasts, and extraterrestrial beings - gather around! In
this video, we are going to talk about NASA's most exciting mission yet - the Artemis Program.
This is not just another space mission; it's a giant leap toward
humanity's future in space exploration. Artemis is NASA's program that aims to land
American astronauts, including the first woman, on the Moon by 2024. The mission's
purpose is to establish sustainable exploration of the Moon and use it as a stepping stone for
future manned missions to Mars and beyond. The program also includes robotic missions,
technology development, and international partnerships to support human exploration.
This is not just about planting flags; it's about developing infrastructure and resources that will
enable long-term human presence on the Moon. The Artemis program is crucial for humanity.
It is the gateway to a new era of space exploration and colonization.
Establishing a sustainable human presence on the Moon will enable us to conduct scientific
research, develop new technologies, extract resources, and eventually inhabit other planets
What’s the craziest thing you would do if you were
to set foot on the Moon? Let me know in the comments below!
Anyway, NASA’s program is an important step towards building a safer future for
our planet, developing new economic opportunities, and inspiring future
generations of scientists and astronauts. Human exploration under the Artemis program
will begin with the crewed flight test of SLS and Orion on Artemis 2 in 2023. The crew has recently
been introduced to the world, along with the spacesuit astronauts will wear on Artemis 3.
Let’s find out more about it! ---
What does it take to be an astronaut? I will soon introduce you to the
crew…but first…do you even know what it takes to become a NASA astronaut?
Let’s take a step back to 1959. At that time, becoming an astronaut
used to be reserved for military personnel who were shorter than 5 feet 11 inches,
because one had to fit in the Mercury spacecraft. Fortunately, things have changed since then,
and becoming an astronaut no longer requires taking orders from a drill sergeant.
NASA has updated its requirements and now anyone with a Master’s degree in a STEM field can apply.
That’s right, even if you have a Ph.D. in underwater basket weaving, as long as you have
a degree in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics, you are eligible to apply.
But wait, there’s more! You’ll also need at least two years of related professional experience or
1,000 hours of pilot-in-command time on a jet aircraft. It’s like the job application from hell,
but with a spacesuit at the end of the tunnel. If you’re lucky enough to make it through the
application process, you’ll need to pass a physical exam that’s harder than getting
a gold medal in gymnastics. The exam ensures that you’re healthy enough to
endure the long-duration flight required for missions like the lunar South Pole and Mars.
Once you’re selected, you’ll go through two years of intense training at NASA’s
Johnson Space Center in Houston. You’ll learn everything from spacewalking to flying T-38
jet planes. It’s like going to college but with zero gravity and cooler toys.
As you can see, becoming an astronaut is no longer solely reserved for the military elite.
Anyone with a STEM degree and related experience can apply.
With NASA’s plans for lunar and Martian bases, there’s never been a better time to apply.
Who knows, you could be the first person to walk on Mars or discover an alien race. So,
start studying and practicing your astronaut moves, because the sky is no longer the limit!
--- The crew
And now that we know what one has to go through in order to become an astronaut,
let me introduce you to these four superheroes: the Artemis 2 mission crew!
First up is Christina Hammock Koch, the spacewalking sensation! With her 328 days
in space, she's got the endurance to take on any challenge. She's also the first
woman to complete an all-female spacewalk, making her the perfect candidate to tackle
any gender barriers on the Moon. Next, we have Gregory Wiseman,
the scientific superpower! With over 165 days of conducting experiments in space,
he's got the brains to solve any problem. Plus, he's a social media superstar, making him the
perfect candidate to connect with Earthlings and keep them informed about the mission.
Victor J. Glover, Jr. is the daring dragon pilot! He's got the chops to fly anything,
including the Crew Dragon spacecraft. He's also a pro at long-duration missions, having just
landed from a 6-month stint on the International Space Station. With his experience, he's ready to
take on anything the Moon throws his way. Last but not least is Jeremy Hansen, the
Canadian astronaut extraordinaire! He's got the education and research background to back him up,
plus he's making history as the first Canadian to venture to the Moon. With his unique perspective,
he's the perfect candidate to find new discoveries on the lunar surface.
Together, these four superheroes make up the ultimate Artemis 2 team!
With their endurance, brains, daring skills, and unique perspectives, they're the best candidates
to tackle any challenge the Moon has in store for them. Here's to a successful mission. Let’s see
what the future holds. ---
Oh, I almost forgot: who’s your favorite astronaut? Let me know in the comments below!
--- Artemis 2 mission
Artemis 2 is expected to launch in November 2024, this mission is set
to push the boundaries of space exploration and demonstrate NASA’s prowess in space technology.
Before the crew sets course for the Moon, they will spend a day or so carrying out
systems checks in Earth orbit. This will provide valuable practice for future docking maneuvers
needed in later missions. The spacecraft’s orbit around Earth will be highly elliptical,
ranging from about 115 miles to 46,000 miles above Earth’s surface.
Artemis 2 will not land on or orbit the Moon but will use several lunar destination
burns and course corrections to achieve a so-called free-return trajectory. This
approach will bring the craft to within about 6,400 miles of the Moon’s farside,
allowing it to return to Earth even if the craft experiences an engine failure.
The free-return trajectory will form a figure-eight around Earth and the Moon,
making this mission a remarkable feat of space engineering.
This mission will not only be a demonstration of technological progress but also a significant
milestone in human scientific achievement. The four members of the crew will bear witness to
the formidable power of the Moon, which has inspired humanity since time immemorial.
While the mission does not involve landing on the lunar surface, the journey itself is a
testament to the limits of human exploration and the endless possibilities of space.
Artemis 2 is expected to last around ten days, during which time the crew will
conduct experiments and gather data that will be invaluable for future missions.
The free-return trajectory will allow the spacecraft to capture stunning images of
the Moon and provide insights into its geology and features. This amazing mission is set to
achieve great things and push the boundaries of space exploration. With its innovative use
of trajectories and course corrections, this mission is poised to capture the imagination
of people around the world and demonstrate the tremendous potential of human achievement.
As we look to the future, it serves as a reminder of the boundless possibilities of space and the
limitless potential of human ingenuity. ---
The new spacesuits But this is not it! As we’ve
already mentioned, the Artemis program’s main goal is to land astronauts on the moon. Christina,
Victor, Jeremy, and Gregory will not set foot on the surface: they will just pass by the Moon,
admiring it from a distance. But there will be another crew of astronauts that will explore
some regions of the Moon near the lunar South Pole. These will be moonwalkers, and they will
need special spacesuits provided by Axiom Space. But why do astronauts on the Moon need special
spacesuits in the first place? Well, it's pretty simple actually. You see, the Moon doesn't have
any air, which means that without a spacesuit, an astronaut would not be able to breathe! And that's
not all, the Moon's surface is also covered in all sorts of things that could harm an astronaut, like
rocks, dust, and extreme temperatures that can be as hot as boiling water or as cold as Antarctica.
Luckily, Axiom Space has been selected by NASA to develop the latest and greatest
spacesuits for the Artemis 3 mission. These new spacesuits called the AxEMU, have been
designed to provide maximum mobility, comfort, and safety for astronauts exploring the Moon.
They're also going to fit a wide range of body types and incorporate the latest technology.
This is really important because the slightest tear or malfunction in a spacesuit could have
serious consequences for the astronaut wearing it. Axiom Space is not only responsible for the
design, development, certification, and production of the spacesuits, but they also have to make sure
that the astronauts are fully trained and equipped with all the necessary tools to
conduct their spacewalks on the Moon safely. And let me tell you, it's not an easy job!
But why did NASA partner with Axiom Space? Well, by using a commercial services contract,
NASA is not only supporting American workers and demonstrating technical ingenuity, but
they're also helping to create a growing space economy by encouraging Axiom Space to pursue
other commercial customers for their moonwalking services. So, let's cross our fingers and hope
that everything goes according to plan and that we get to see the first woman and the first person
of color step foot on the Moon very soon! And who knows, maybe one day you'll get to go on a
moonwalk too! ---
Recap Hey! This video ends here, but…before saying
goodbye, let me highlight the main things we saw. The Artemis program is a testament to human
ingenuity and the never-ending quest for exploration and discovery. With its ambitious
goal of establishing a sustainable human presence on the Moon and using it as a launching pad for
future missions to Mars and beyond, it represents a giant leap toward humanity's future in space.
The recent introduction of the Artemis 2 crew and their cutting-edge spacesuits highlight
the tremendous technical progress being made in space exploration.
With NASA partnering with commercial space companies like Axiom Space,
we are witnessing the birth of a new space economy that promises to create new
economic opportunities and inspire future generations of scientists and astronauts.
Thanks for watching! I hope you enjoyed the video. I’ll see you next time on the channel.