Artemis I was given the all clear to launch yesterday morning, following tropical storm Nicole earlier in the week. Source: NASA.
After months of delays, NASA has finally launched the Artemis I rocket with the hopes this mission will provide vital information to help put people back on the moon.
Lift-off was achieved at 1:47 am on Wednesday morning to the elation of the NASA team who were no doubt relieved it was finally happening after months of unforeseen delays.
A Hurricane, tropical storm and mechanical issues troubled the mission from the original launch date, which was set for August 29, almost three months ago.
When we go, we go together.
The #Artemis team wants to thank everyone who helped us along the way toward the first launch of the @NASA_SLS rocket and @NASA_Orion. pic.twitter.com/9dBSBzQ6wI
— NASA Artemis (@NASAArtemis) November 16, 2022
The uncrewed test flight will spend 25 days, 11 hours, and 36 minutes in distant retrograde orbit around the moon, travelling a total of 2.1 million kilometres.
Although the flight is unmanned, NASA has put a manikin by the name of “Commander Moonikin” onboard.
NASA says this mission will be vital in testing the Orion spacecraft and Space Launch System (SLS) that will eventually see people step foot on the moon once again.
“With Artemis I, NASA sets the stage for human exploration into deep space, where astronauts will build and begin testing the systems near the Moon needed for lunar surface missions and exploration to other destinations farther from Earth, including Mars,” they said.
US President Joe Biden marked the occasion on Twitter by saying “NASA’s Artemis is in flight”.
“This ship will enable the first woman and first person of color to set food on the lunar surface and will lead countless students to become explorers and show America’s limitless possibilities to the world.”
New views of planet Earth from @NASA_Orion as #Artemis I journeys to the Moon. Orion is 9.5 hours into a 25.5-day test flight. pic.twitter.com/CBaA4ZOK4X
— NASA (@NASA) November 16, 2022
Artemis I will be the first of four missions that will cost about US$4.1 billion each. The entire Artemis program is set to cost US$93 billion by 2025 according to NASA.
The next mission is planning to take four people near the moon while Artemis III will hopefully see people land on the moon.
