MISSION TO THE MOON

The US space agency NASA is sending astronauts to the Moon for the first time in more than half a century. Here’s everything you need to know.

ASTRONAUT WEN: Artemis is the name for a series of NASA missions designed to land humans on the Moon. The second mission, Artemis 2, launches at the start of April.

NICO: Artemis is a funny word. Where did that come from?

ASTRONAUT WEN: Well, in Greek mythology, Artemis is goddess of the Moon. NASA’s last set of Moon missions were named after her twin brother, Apollo.

NICO: Errr, the last Apollo mission was in 1972... What’s the point in going to the Moon again?

ASTRONAUT WEN: Six Apollo missions landed astronauts on the Moon, but they only stayed there for a few days at most.

NICO: So, this time they’re planning to stay for a while?

ASTRONAUT WEN: Yes! The plan is to build a Moon base so astronauts can stay longer. It’s not all about the Moon. either. Through Artemis, NASA hopes to lay the groundwork for future missions to Mars.

NICO: Woah! Mars?! This is pretty big stuff.

THE ARTEMIS MISSIONS

ARTEMIS 1

When: November-December 2022
What: Uncrewed test flight around the Moon

ARTEMIS 2

NASA plan to launch Artemis 2 between the 1st and 6th of April 2026.

The four astronauts on board won’t actually land on the Moon...but they’ll go further into space than any human has ever been, as they travel more than 6,500km (4,000 miles) beyond the Moon. The ten-day flight will test the safety of the spacecraft ahead of planned Moon landings.

Artemis 2 crew:

Commander: Reid Wiseman
Pilot: Victor Glover
Mission specialist: Christina Koch
Mission specialist: Jeremy Hansen

ARTEMIS 3

When: mid-2027
What: Final crewed test mission before landing on the Moon

ARTEMIS 4

When: early 2028
What: Astronauts to land at the Moon’s South Pole

ARTEMIS 5

When: late 2028
What: Astronauts begin building Moon base