What is the purpose of NASA’s Artemis I mission?
NASA’s William Hartwell updates on Artemis I and future ESMs
NASA’s William Hartwell recently provided an update on the Artemis I mission and discussed the agency’s plans for future European Service Modules (ESMs) that will be used in the Artemis program. Hartwell is the ESA’s project manager for the ESM, which provides power, propulsion, and life support to the Orion spacecraft.
Artemis I update
Artemis I is scheduled to launch in November 2021 and will be an uncrewed test flight of the Orion spacecraft with the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket. The mission will take the spacecraft beyond the orbit of the moon, testing its systems and capabilities for future human missions to the moon and beyond. Hartwell noted that the development of the ESM for Artemis I is complete, and the module has been integrated with the Orion spacecraft.
- Artemis I is on track for a November 2021 launch
- The ESM for Artemis I has been completed and integrated with the Orion spacecraft
Future ESMs
Looking ahead to future Artemis missions, Hartwell discussed plans for the next generation of ESMs. The ESM for Artemis II, which will be a crewed mission around the moon, is currently under development and is expected to be completed in early 2023. After Artemis II, NASA and the ESA will start work on the ESMs for Artemis III and IV, which will be crewed missions to the lunar surface.
Hartwell also noted that NASA and the ESA are exploring the possibility of using ESMs for other missions beyond the Artemis program. This could include missions to Mars or even human missions to asteroids.
- The ESM for Artemis II is currently under development
- Work on ESMs for Artemis III and IV will begin after Artemis II
- ESMs could be used in future missions to Mars or asteroids
Hartwell’s update provides an exciting glimpse into the future of the Artemis program and the role that the ESM will play in enabling NASA’s human exploration efforts. The successful completion of the Artemis I mission later this year will be an important milestone towards returning humans to the moon and paving the way for exploration of new worlds.
NASA’s Artemis program is the next big step in human space exploration, aiming to land the first woman and next man on the Moon by 2024. The program is not only focused on surface exploration but also aims to establish a sustainable presence on the Moon with the help of international partnerships. As part of the Artemis program, NASA is developing a spacecraft called the Orion spacecraft, which will transport astronauts to lunar orbit and back.
Another vital component of the Artemis program is the European Service Module (ESM), an advanced spacecraft built by the European Space Agency (ESA) that will power the Orion spacecraft on its journey. The ESM provides crucial support for the Orion spacecraft, such as propulsion, life support, and critical subsystems for power and thermal control.
To discuss the latest updates on Artemis I and future ESMs, NASA’s Deputy Manager of the Artemis Program, William Hartwell, spoke at the annual European Space Conference. Hartwell began by addressing the status of Artemis I, which is currently undergoing testing to ensure safe and successful launch and operation. The Artemis I mission will be an uncrewed test mission in lunar orbit to demonstrate and validate capabilities for the Artemis II mission, which will carry astronauts to lunar orbit.
Hartwell, however, emphasized that Artemis I is just the beginning of the Artemis program. He explained that NASA plans to establish a sustainable presence on the Moon with the help of international partnerships, and for this, additional ESMs will be required. NASA envisions using the ESMs as lunar tugs, carrying cargo and gateway modules to the Moon and assisting with satellite servicing and maintenance.
But what sets the future ESMs apart from the current one is the added capability of autonomy. Hartwell explained that the first ESM will be dependent on the Orion spacecraft for navigation and control, but future ones will incorporate advanced technologies to enable independent navigation, making them an even more valuable asset to the Artemis program.
Hartwell also highlighted the importance of international collaboration in the Artemis program, stating that the contributions made by European and Canadian partners have been critical to NASA’s goals. He expressed his gratitude for the support and positive outcomes of these partnerships, emphasizing that the Artemis program is an international effort to explore the Moon and beyond.
In conclusion, the Artemis program aims to take the next big leap in space exploration by establishing a sustainable presence on the Moon, making the ESMs a crucial aspect of the mission. As NASA continues to develop Artemis I and plan for future ESMs, collaboration and partnerships with international agencies will continue to play a critical role in achieving this goal.