NASA wants to land the next man and the first woman on the surface of the Moon by the year 2024. Since the end of the Apollo programme in 1972, no human has set foot on the lunar orb. But under NASA’s Artemis programme – a twin sister mission to Apollo – the space agency hopes to reinvigorate a new passion for spaceflight. The ultimate goal, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said, is for the Moon to act as a stepping stone to Mars.
Mr Bridenstine said: “We will go to the Moon this time using modern technology and systems in ways that will allow us to return time and time again.
“This too is different with the Artemis generation – we will see long-term robotic and human exploration of our nearest neighbour.
“Then we will take what we learn at the Moon, and head to Mars.”
With NASA sending robotic probes to the Moon as early 2020, Mr Bridenstine said he hopes to inspire a generation of youngsters.
He said: “As a father of a young girl, it’s important my daughter can look at the stars and see herself in the face of the first woman to go the Moon.
“Whether or not she grows up to be a doctor and ultimately an astronaut, she needs to see that it is possible.
“I believe our astronaut corps today gives her that confidence.
“Like me and you, she is part of the Artemis generation.”
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NASA’s Artemis will explore the Moon’s south polar regions between 2020 and 2028.
The first stages of the lunar programme will focus on unmanned probes and rovers to scouting the south pole.
In 2024, the space agency will launch the first human crews to the Moon using NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion spacecraft.
By 2028, NASA wants to establish a “sustainable” presence on the Moon for future missions to the Red Planet.
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Mr Bridenstine said the space agency is committed to makes these goals a reality.
He said: “Artemis is the twin sister of Apollo and a goddess of the Moon. And she now personifies our path forward in more ways than one.
“With the Artemis program, we will land the first woman and next man on the Moon.
“Many have asked why we’re focused on sending the first woman. And I often say because it is about time.
“Our astronauts represent the best of us, and to do so, we must be able to see ourselves among them.”
