RETURN TO THE MOON
NASA’s Artemis rocket finally launches
THE Artemis moon mission has finally launched in a giant blaze of glory after a series of failed attempts earlier in the year.
NASA’s most powerful ever rocket took off yesterday morning, propelling the Orion spacecraft on the uncrewed 25-day, 1.3 million-mile expedition.
The flight around the moon, carrying mannequins instead of astronauts, paves the way for a crewed flight test and future lunar exploration, as well as missions to Mars.
NASA flight director Charlie BlackwellThompson told colleagues: “We are all part of something incredibly special: the first launch of Artemis. The first step in returning our country to the moon and on to Mars.
“What you have done today will inspire generations to come.”
Ms Blackwell-Thompson, who had her tie cut following the successful launch in keeping with NASA tradition, added: “The harder the climb, the better the view. We showed the Space Coast tonight… what a beautiful view it is.” An enormous flame from the Space Launch System, made up of 55 engines and motors, powered the lift-off from the Kennedy Space Center on Merritt Island off the coast of Orlando, Florida. As the rocket soared on its long journey upwards, the American space agency’s official commentator said: “We rise together, back to the moon and beyond.”
Bill Nelson, administrator of NASA, said the launch team were “part of a great legacy”. There will be astronauts on board for subsequent space missions, with the first crewed flight scheduled to launch in 2024.
The last manned mission to the moon was Apollo 17 in December 1972.