NASA revealed on Thursday that it is aiming for a late August launch of its massive, new moon rocket, marking the 53rd Anniversary of the Apollo 11 lunar landing.
As early as August 29, NASA will undertake the lengthy lunar test journey without any people, using only three Mannequins. Additionally, there are two launch possibilities in early September, just before NASA would have to take a two-week break.
The test flight kicks off “our Artemis mission to go back to the moon,” according to NASA’s Jim Free. The new lunar project of the space agency is called “Artemis” in honour of Apollo’s mythological twin sister.
Following repairs from the countdown test last month, the 30-story Space Launch System rocket and its Orion capsule are now in the hangar at “Kennedy Space Center”. During the numerous launch rehearsals NASA conducted at the pad, fuel leaks as well as other technical issues appeared.
Reporters were given the assurance by NASA officials that the issues have been fixed and that testing is almost finished. However, they advised that due to Florida’s unpredictable weather and potential problems, the launch dates could change before the rocket is scheduled to return to the launch pad on August 18.
The chief of exploration systems development, Free, promised that caution would be exercised. “The rocket and Orion capsule are bigger than the Statue of Liberty of almost 322 feet” (98 metres).
As per Reports, Astronauts might board Orion in 2023 for a lunar loop-around and make an actual landing in 2025 if the mission to the moon and return goes successfully.
The moon was last visited by astronauts in 1972. “On July 20, 1969, while Michael Collins was orbiting the moon, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, the first two of the twelve moonwalkers, set foot on the powdery grey surface”.
The lone survivor of the trio, 92-year-old Aldrin, tweeted about the occasion, saying, “Neil, Michael & I were pleased to represent America as we took those tremendous steps for mankind. It was the world’s greatest moment and America’s finest hour”.
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