Astronauts to travel further than any humans in history in Artemis II

The coming week will see humankind journeying closer to the moon once more.

While it’s been decades since the last moon landing, and space exploration has expanded rapidly into all sorts of different missions, NASA will be kickstarting a new “era” of lunar* exploration with the upcoming Artemis* II mission.

The last moon landing was in December, 1972. The Apollo* 17 astronauts of that mission will remain the last visitors to the lunar surface, as the Artemis II astronauts will make a 10-day journey that swings around the moon.

And while their spacecraft won’t land on the moon, it’ll take the group further than humanity has ever gone.

That’s 400,171 km – which was the distance travelled by Apollo 13 in 1970.

It’ll be the first time that NASA’s next generation Space Launch System rocket and Orion capsule carry human passengers, with the trip designed to pave the way for a manned moon landing in the next few years.

While climate challenges have made the launch date difficult to predict, Artemis II will take off on February 8 at the earliest.

The Artemis II team is made up of four astronauts.

Astronaut Reid Wiseman will command the mission, while Victor Glover will serve as the pilot.

Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen will serve as mission specialists.

Among the team is the first woman, the first person of colour and the first Canadian to undertake a lunar mission.

“All four astronauts will represent the best of humanity as they explore for the benefit of all,” said NASA’s Johnson Space Center director Vanessa Wyche.

The four are now in quarantine in Houston and will arrive at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, about six days before the Artemis II takes off.

Wiseman previously served in the navy, and became an astronaut in 2009.

He spent six months on the International Space Station in 2014.

After the loss of his wife in 2014, he became a single father to two girls.

“I’m a single father of two daughters,” he said to NBC’s Today.

“It’d be a lot easier to just sit on my couch and watch football for the weekend, but at the same time, there’s four humans that were put in a position to be able to go explore and do something that is very unique and rare in this civilisation.”

Koch is also no stranger to space.

She completed 328 days on the International Space Station in 2019, which is the record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman.

She was also part of the first all-female space walk with her colleague, Jessica Meir.

The next Artemis mission will likely see a woman land on the moon for the first time.

Pilot Glover also visited the International Space Station in 2020.

He was on the first operational flight of SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule.

A former navy captain and test pilot, he was recruited by NASA and selected to become an astronaut in 2013.

Hansen is the only crew member venturing* into space for the first time.

He was selected by the Canadian Space Agency to become an astronaut in 2009, and will be the first Canadian astronaut to join a trip toward the moon.

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GLOSSARY

lunar: of or relating to the moon

Artemis: in Ancient Greek mythology the goddess of the hunt and the moon, twin sister to Apollo and known as Diana in Ancient Rome

venturing: to risk going somewhere or doing something that might be dangerous or unpleasant, or to risk saying something that may be unpopular, controversial or criticised

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QUICK QUIZ

What is the name of this new lunar mission and where are they going?

How long will the journey take?

There are three firsts among the crew of four astronauts – what are they?

When was the last moon landing and what was the mission called?

How far are they travelling and what is special about the distance?

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CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES

1. What can we learn?

What do you think astronauts of the future will explore or study on the moon? Write a list. Next to each item, explain why you think that this is important.

Time: allow at least 15 minutes to complete this activity

Curriculum Links: English, Science

2. Extension

“Who cares about outer space? These missions are a waste of money!” Write down what you would say to change this person’s opinion about space exploration. Include as many details as you can.

Time: allow at least 20 minutes to complete this activity

Curriculum Links English, Science

VCOP ACTIVITY

Acrostic poem

Think of a word that you associate with space travel (astronauts, frontier, mission, spacecraft, capsule) and create an acrostic poem to share about the Artemis II mission. Try and include varied words throughout your poem to maintain the interest of the reader.