NASA scientists discuss Artemis II mission

TEXAS — Excitement is building for America’s return to the moon. This week in Houston, the bright minds behind the four-phase mission spoke about the preparation that’s gone into it.

The second phase of the Artemis program, set to launch in April of next year, will take four astronauts to low-earth obit for a fly-by of the moon. During the 10-day mission, they will study parts of the lunar surface that humans have never seen before.

“I feel like we have a front seat to a history making experience,” said Lakiesha Hawkins, deputy administrator for exploration systems.

Astronauts on the third phase of the mission will land on the moon — the first humans to do so since 1972. The crew will collect samples to bring back to Earth and test the boundaries of human space exploration.

“The crew there on the surface of the moon will be trying to figure out how to live off the land,” Hawkins said. 

Flight directors for the Artemis program said lessons from the Apollo program are helping build this next mission. However, they made it clear that they have much bigger goals: a long-term presence on the moon and, eventually, exploration of Mars.

“None of us were born during Apollo so this is our opportunity to inspire a generation of kids to get involved in future space exploration,” said Rick Henfling, return flight director for Artemis II. “And maybe one of those kids who was inspired by what we do on Artemis II becomes the first person to set footprints on the surface of Mars.”