NASA’s full Artemis plan revealed

[Peter1469]

NASA’s full Artemis plan revealed

It is a bold plan. It puts man back on the moon in 5 years and for long stays this time.

In the nearly two months since Vice President Mike Pence directed NASA to return to the Moon by 2024, space agency engineers have been working to put together a plan that leverages existing technology, large projects nearing completion, and commercial rockets to bring this about.

Last week, an updated plan that demonstrated a human landing in 2024, annual sorties to the lunar surface thereafter, and the beginning of a Moon base by 2028, began circulating within the agency. A graphic, shown below, provides information about each of the major launches needed to construct a small Lunar Gateway, stage elements of a lunar lander there, fly crews to the Moon and back, and conduct refueling missions.


This decade-long plan, which entails 37 launches of private and NASA rockets, as well as a mix of robotic and human landers, culminates with a "Lunar Surface Asset Deployment" in 2028, likely the beginning of a surface outpost for long-duration crew stays. Developed by the agency's senior human spaceflight manager, Bill Gerstenmaier, this plan is everything Pence asked for—an urgent human return, a Moon base, a mix of existing and new contractors.

I don't see the need for the Lunar Gateway- it seems to be an unnecessary step. But at least they are moving forward.

[Standing Wolf]

If the idea is to eventually travel to and someday colonize other planets, the Moon would seem to be the most convenient place on which to develop and fine tune the technologies necessary to do those things.

[Peter1469]

If the idea is to eventually travel to and someday colonize other planets, the Moon would seem to be the most convenient place on which to develop and fine tune the technologies necessary to do those things.

Yes, especially since we discovered water there.

[Standing Wolf]

Yes, especially since we discovered water there.

You know, that's funny. It seems as though the media, when it comes to science, has an extremely short memory. I can remember reading a front page story about scientists "discovering water on the moon" when I was in high school, ca. 1970. How many times can one thing be "discovered"?

[Peter1469]

You know, that's funny. It seems as though the media, when it comes to science, has an extremely short memory. I can remember reading a front page story about scientists "discovering water on the moon" when I was in high school, ca. 1970. How many times can one thing be "discovered"?

Don't know. I was 1 in 1970. In my school days we were told there was no water on the moon.

[Standing Wolf]

Don't know. I was 1 in 1970. In my school days we were told there was no water on the moon.

I think a big part of the problem is that the people who write the news stories seldom possess any deep understanding of what they're writing about, and they tend to exaggerate what they don't just outright get wrong. A scientist (or group of them) might announce that certain conditions have been observed or detected on the moon that might mean that water exists there, and the next day the papers say, "WATER FOUND ON THE MOON". I'm sure you're aware of how the press butchers stories involving the law and court verdicts; it's much the same with Science.

[Peter1469]

I think a big part of the problem is that the people who write the news stories seldom possess any deep understanding of what they're writing about, and they tend to exaggerate what they don't just outright get wrong. A scientist (or group of them) might announce that certain conditions have been observed or detected on the moon that might mean that water exists there, and the next day the papers say, "WATER FOUND ON THE MOON". I'm sure you're aware of how the press butchers stories involving the law and court verdicts; it's much the same with Science.

Agreed

[MMC]

NASA’s full Artemis plan revealed

It is a bold plan. It puts man back on the moon in 5 years and for long stays this time.



I don't see the need for the Lunar Gateway- it seems to be an unnecessary step. But at least they are moving forward.

Finally a Moon base by 2028. If we are smart.....we wont allow any others access to it.

[Peter1469]

Finally a Moon base by 2028. If we are smart.....we wont allow any others access to it.

That is why China wants to get their first.

[MMC]

That is why China wants to get their first.

If they try.....we need to up the schedule. Or tell them they can put theirs on the Dark Side of the Moon.