The upcoming Artemis I mission by NASA marks a significant milestone in the ongoing exploration of the Moon. This article delves into the specifics of the mission, its stages and key events, as well as providing a historical context of lunar exploration. It also highlights the contribution of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in this domain.
About Artemis I Mission
Artemis I is an unprecedented uncrewed mission by NASA designed to test the agency’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion crew capsule. This mission is intended as the first in a series of complex operations aimed at establishing a long-term human presence on the Moon. The primary objectives for Artemis I include demonstrating Orion’s performance in a space environment and ensuring a safe re-entry, descent, splashdown, and recovery before undertaking the subsequent Artemis II mission with a crew onboard.
Key Events During the Mission
Upon completion of their assembly, the SLS rocket and the Orion spacecraft are set to embark from Launch Complex 39B at the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. After launch, the spacecraft will orbit the Earth, separate from its core stage, and head towards the Moon propelled by an Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage (ICPS). This phase of the mission will also involve the deployment of small satellites, known as CubeSats, including one named BioSentinel that will study the effects of deep space radiation on living matter.
Moon Orbit and Reentry Into Earth’s Atmosphere
As the spacecraft heads towards the Moon, it will be powered by a service module built by the European Space Agency. This module will not only propel the spacecraft but also supply air and water for future crewed missions. Following data collection in the Moon’s orbit, the spacecraft will use a combination of the service module’s engine fire and the Moon’s gravity to accelerate back towards Earth, reenter the Earth’s atmosphere, and land in the ocean off the coast of Baja, California.
History of Moon Exploration
The exploration of the Moon began with the Soviet Union’s Luna 1 and 2 in 1959. The Apollo 11 lunar landing in 1969, with Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin becoming the first humans to step on the Moon, was a major landmark event. Since then, lunar exploratory efforts have continued unabated, with several countries joining in. China notably achieved the first-ever landing on the Moon’s far side in 2019.
ISRO’s Contribution to Moon Exploration
ISRO’s Chandrayaan project marked India’s entrance into lunar exploration. Commanding a global spotlight, the missions have achieved significant findings, including confirming the presence of lunar water and identifying signs of past tectonic activity on the lunar surface. ISRO’s upcoming mission, Chandrayaan-3, will be a fully indigenous endeavour encompassing a lander and a rover.
Factsphere: Attempting Previous Year UPSC Questions
The final portion of the article invites the readers to engage with a multiple-choice question from the 2014 Civil Services Examination about some famous space missions. The goal is to match each spacecraft to its purpose. For instance, it tests the understanding that Cassini-Huygens was a Saturn-focused mission, not Venus-centric as stated in one of the options. The question also pertains to the Messenger spacecraft that was intended for Mercury and the Voyager 1 and 2, designed to explore the outer solar system.