What the Artemis Mission means to us

In 2017, the Artemis program was established, a series of NASA missions to take the next step to lunar exploration. After 5 years, NASA announced the launch of Artemis 1 to be on 29th August 2022 which the Orion spacecraft (developed 2005-2010)

This mission is the first of many, and the first integrated, uncrewed flight test set to test the integrated systems before Artemis 2 (the crewed missions) as well as the SLS Spacecraft, Orion’s, heat shield.

However, things did not go to plan and the launch was scrubbed, moving to 3rd September 2022; this once again got scrubbed when the engineers were unsuccessful in the troubleshooting process.

The launch is now hoped to take place 26th or 27th September 2022. The Artemis program is hoped to guide our generation to a new era of deep space exploration – including a mission to mars and the first moon launch of this century! But how does this impact our lives?

One big thing that this program could potentially impact is the world of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) and creating a pathway to a generation of innovation. A big part of NASA’s hopes across all their programs is to increase the STEM engagement.

Furthermore, an increase in interest in STEM can create more critical thinkers and enables our generation and the next to become more inventive. Some of these new engineers of our future could even create inventions that could help lower stress put on our planet, creating a much more diverse future.

When NASA begin Artemis 2, the next step after Artemis 1, significant history will be made. Out of the crew of four astronauts, it has been established that there will be at least one woman and person of colour, meaning that they will be the first ever woman and PoC to step foot on the lunar surface. This is a big step to neutralising gender roles and stereotypes in our world, and a step to equality in everyone.

However, there are people who believe that it may not be a step we should take. A local in Barnsley believes that we should “concentrate on sorting out the Earth’s issues like climate change and poverty.” Others may believe that there is enough money to split between helping our Earth and Lunar exploration which has a chance to teach us more about our solar system.

So, what are your thoughts on the subject? Do you think this is a good idea? Let us know on Twitter using @VibeMediaNews