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- What is Artemis?
- Why are we going back to the Moon?
- What is Deep Space?
- Why explore Deep Space?
- What benefits does space exploration offer to people?
- Why is it so difficult to land on the Moon?
- Why do the launch schedules for space missions change?
- Are sample returns from the Moon and Mars necessary?
- Why do we need to send humans to Mars?
What is Artemis?
In ancient times, Artemis was the twin sister of the Greek god Apollo, whose name was used for NASA’s Moon missions of the 1960s and 1970s. The Artemis program, inspired by the rich history of the Apollo program, has a bold goal: to send the first person of color and the first woman to the Moon. But it is more than just one mission. Artemis is about building a sustainable Lunar presence as a stepping stone for further deep space exploration, including the first crewed missions to Mars. Check out NASA’s website for a more in-depth look at this exciting program.
Why are we going back to the Moon?
The United States, in a spirit of global cooperation, is leading the charge to return to the moon as a crucial component of national security. The countries that are first to establish permanent lunar bases will have the opportunity to develop lasting policies for future space explorations. The United States, as a global leader, is looking to set policies that align with the values and principles of a democratic society. NASA has partnered with countries on the Artemis Accords, a testament to the global effort and cooperation in maintaining the peaceful exploration of the Moon.
Imagine the Moon, a celestial body with a surface area about the same size as the continent of Africa. The Apollo missions in the 1960s and 70s explored only a small portion of the Moon at its equator, bringing back scientific data and lunar surface materials that scientists are still studying today. But what if there’s more to discover? Exploring other regions of the lunar surface, like the poles, could lead to exciting discoveries-water or other elements not found at the equator. The Moon, like Africa, is a vast and diverse landscape waiting to be explored.
Science and technology have reached new levels of understanding in the more than 50 years since we landed on and explored the moon. With our unique knowledge and scientific abilities, there is still a vast universe to explore and discover. Each new discovery, whether it’s the presence of water on the Moon or the potential for life on Mars, brings us closer to understanding our home planet and how we can better protect and preserve it for future generations, sparking excitement for the endless possibilities that lie in the depths of space.
What is Deep Space?
The term “outer space” refers to anything beyond Earth, even things very close to home in low-Earth orbit, which begins as low as 100 miles (160 kilometers) above the Earth. On the other hand, deep space starts a bit further out: It’s often considered anything further away from Earth than our moon and can refer to things beyond our solar system entirely. For a better understanding of the different regions of space within our solar system, check out our Deep Space interactive experience.
Why explore Deep Space?
Deep space is an endless expanse that ignites our innate desire to explore and understand the universe. Through this exploration, we develop innovative technologies that enhance our quality of life on Earth. The benefits of space exploration go beyond scientific discoveries and technological advancements. From the earliest days of spaceflight to the current age, the technological developments related to space exploration were initially intended for missions in space and have since been adapted for use on Earth. Each year since 1976, NASA has published a Spinoff Report highlighting technological advancements for space exploration and their earthly applications.
NASA’s interactive procurement map and Economic Impact Report show that for every dollar invested in space exploration, three dollars are returned to the US economy. Space exploration is essential to the country’s economic and national security.
Moreover, space exploration has led to numerous scientific experiments that benefit humans in many ways, from medicine to environmental research. Returning to the Moon and sending humans to Mars will further expand our knowledge of our planet and the solar system. Continuing to explore and discover the wonders of deep space benefits all humanity.
What benefits does space exploration offer to people?
For every dollar the Federal Government spends on space exploration, three dollars are returned to the US economy. NASA has an interactive map that lets you pinpoint the economic effects in your area. Additionally, NASA has published an Economic Impact Report to provide a deeper understanding of the economic impacts of space exploration.
Space exploration involves conducting scientific experiments that benefit humans on Earth in many ways. NASA has a vast collection of information available on its websites. You can access the information gathered over several decades of space research by searching for technology, medicine, science, environment, weather, or anything else you might be interested in. In addition to NASA, numerous commercial enterprises are conducting scientific research in space. The amount of scientific research is increasing as we continue to explore space.
Space exploration continues to inspire young people to enter Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields. With more young minds entering STEM fields, scientific discoveries increase for the betterment of all humanity.
Why is it so difficult to land on the Moon?
Landing on the moon is a complex and challenging achievement. The moon has only about 1/6th the gravity of Earth but does not have any atmosphere, which means that a spacecraft must use its own power to slow down considerably before landing on the surface. The lack of atmosphere on the moon makes it difficult to use traditional methods of aerobraking and parachutes to slow the spacecraft down. Any braking and steering of a spacecraft must happen through propulsion systems built into the craft.
Testing is critical to a successful landing on the Moon’s surface. While rockets can be bolted down and can conduct tests that replicate the conditions encountered during launch, the options are more limited for spacecraft. Tests on Earth can check whether power and propulsion, navigation, communications, and instruments work, and spacecraft are shaken to ensure they can survive the intense vibrations of launch. However, there is no good way to simulate a Moon landing.
The Moon’s surface is also covered with a layer of fine dust called regolith, which can cause issues for landing gear and spacecraft engines. These factors combine to make landing on the moon problematic and highly technical. Despite the obstacles, human ingenuity and determination have allowed five nations to land on the Moon successfully, with more to follow.
Why do the launch schedules for space missions change?
Launch schedules can change for various reasons, such as technical issues, weather conditions, or unexpected events. Launching a spacecraft requires precise planning and coordination among many different factors, and any change in one of those factors can lead to a delay or even a cancellation. The safety and security of a space mission are of utmost concern, requiring launch schedules to be adjusted accordingly.
Are sample returns from the Moon and Mars necessary?
The return of samples from space is critical for advancing our scientific knowledge, developing new technologies, inspiring future generations, and addressing fundamental questions about our place in the universe.
Samples from the Moon, Mars, asteroids, and comets provide direct evidence about the materials and conditions in different parts of the solar system. This helps scientists understand the formation and evolution of planets and other celestial bodies. Analyzing the samples can provide insights into the organic compounds present in the early solar system, contributing to our understanding of how life might have originated on Earth. Samples returned to Earth can also be studied using a wide range of sophisticated instruments that cannot be sent into space due to size, power, or environmental constraints. Comparing samples with Earth materials further helps in understanding differences and similarities, leading to new ideas and discoveries about the nature of our solar system.
Understanding the composition of the Moon and Mars materials is crucial for future resource utilization, such as extracting water from lunar soil, which is essential for sustainable space exploration.
As an added benefit, collecting and returning samples advances robotics, spacecraft design, and material science technologies. These technologies often have broader applications beyond space exploration.
Why do we need to send humans to Mars?
Since the first successful mission flyby of Mars in 1965 and the first successful landing in 1976, the planet has provided us with a new understanding of the Solar System and Earth. Our knowledge of Mars has grown as NASA’s orbiters and rovers send data from their instruments back to Earth. However, there are limits to what we can learn from robotic missions or even the return of samples from Mars. Human interaction with the Martian environment will expand our knowledge exponentially. For more on what NASA is doing to support the goal of landing humans on Mars, see the Moon to Mars Architecture on NASA’s website.