Who is following Artemis II?
An interesting expedition is currently ongoing over our collective heads. Artemis.
II is America’s National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) second try in more than 50 years to explore Space.
Earlier in 2022, an expedition had been undertaken on Artemis I, but that was with a rocket only, with no human on board. It will be the first time since 1972’s Apollo 17’s expedition.
Artemis II has four people on board the Orion Spacecraft, who would do a “lunar- fly-by” that is fly by the moon, getting close enough to it to test the Spacecraft, and test the “human-rated systems onboard the craft”, for future explorations.
NASA’s website, which is giving a detailed account of the progress of the expedition said the Orion space craft/rocket entered the Moon’s “sphere of influence” — being “the region where lunar gravity is stronger than that of Earth”, on Monday, April 6, with the rocket about 39,000 miles (62,764 kilometers) from the moon and 232,000 miles (373,368 km) from Earth.
Birthday
Artemis II got my attention in February, because it was announced that the expedition would be launched on Ghana’s birthday, March 6.
That attempt was aborted because of a “helium leak” in the fuel tank and engine systems, with helium critical for presurising the fuel tank and purging the Orion Spacecraft’s engine.
Thus, the expedition was postponed for April 1, 2026, launching from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida.
I have found myself these days, reaching out for my mobile phone for news on those four astronauts and the Artemis II mission. I have also intentionally gone out at night, hoping for a sign of sorts of the Orion (by any stretch of my imagination!), as I stare at the Moon.
Interesting
Some interesting pieces of information from the expedition have included the people on board; they are Reid Wiseman, who is a Commander, NASA; an American Navy veteran and former Chief of NASA's Astronaut Office He is the lead in the mission.
The second is Victor Glover, an American Pilot, NASA, who would be executing spacecraft maneuvres; NASA says, “He makes history as the first Black person to travel beyond low-Earth orbit (deep space).
The third is Christina Hammock Koch, a Mission Specialist, NASA; who is an electrical engineer who holds the record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman (328 days). She is the first woman assigned to a lunar mission.
Finally, there is Jeremy Hansen, a Mission Specialist at the Canadian Space Agency and a former Royal Canadian Air Force fighter pilot. He is the first Canadian astronaut to travel to the Moon.
The Orion will get to the far side of the Moon, regions hitherto not seen before, called the Orientale Basin.
The astronauts would also be the first to experience a Solar eclipse, when the Sun moves behind the Moon, in space.
Additionally, the crew have had to contend with toilet challenges, as an ice blockage in their sewage vents resulted in their inability to properly manage waste, and their use of the “collapsible contingency urine devices” for the time being.
Spectacular
“Absolutely spectacular” is the description given by the four when they first glimpsed the moon on their craft at a distance in between the Moon and Earth.
“Another level of amazing up here,” the astronauts added, saying, “it brings you to your knees.”
In an interview with Rebecca Morelle, BBC News Science Editor, and with Tim Peake a retired British astronaut, Jeremy Hansen. in quarantine before the launch said, “I hope humanity will stop for a moment when four humans are on the far side of the moon and just look at some of the imagery we are sharing, and just be reminded that we can do a better job as humans of just lifting each other up, not destroying, but creating together.”
Better job
Indeed, we all can do “a better job as humans of lifting each other up and not destroying”; the expanse of out planetary system teaches how small we all our as individuals; we become great when we work together for good in support of each other.
That is the unwritten law of our planet and others surrounding us.
The success of this expedition, according to NASA, will mark “a key step towards the long-term return to the Moon” and future missions to Mars.
I wish the crew well, and will be praying for their safe return to Earth.
Writer’s E-mail:
