Introduction:
- Artemis is the twin sister of Apollo in Greek Mythology
- Includes “Lunar Gateway” space station that will orbit the moon instead of Earth.
- Canadarm 3 will help construct the Lunar Gateway
- Landers will shuttle between the Lunar Gateway and the moon surface. Likely Shackleton Crater in the South Pole
- New space suits are being designed for landing on the moon, which will provide more mobility while on the surface.
- SLS (space launch system), will take astronauts to the moon.
- At 98 meters tall it’s taller than the statue of liberty
- Weighs about 9 million lbs (4 million kg)
- Able to carry 27 tons to the moon for first iteration (block 1) eventually will carry 46 tons (note Saturn V was ~49 tons)
- Main stage runs on liquid hydrogen and oxygen, the combustion product is water
- Will be tested this year
- Beginning next year, equipment will be sent to the Lunar Gateway so it is ready when humans arrive
- Likely 2023, will send missions to the moon and back without extended operations. These will test all systems
- 2024 land first person on the moon since Apollo missions
Why are we doing this:
- Why go to the moon:
- Demonstrate new technologies, capabilities, and business approaches needed for future exploration including Mars
- Inspire a new generation and encourage careers in STEM
- What to do on the moon:
- Find and use water and other critical resources needed for long-term exploration
- Learn how to live and operate on the surface of another celestial body where astronauts are just three days from home
- Prove the technologies we need before sending astronauts on missions to Mars, which can take up to three years round trip.
- Lots of oxygen on the moon, but it is stuck in oxides like rust, silicon oxide (quartz), and titanium oxide. So separating the oxygen also gives Iron, win-win!
- The moon has Helium-3, a promising fuel for nuclear fusion. Although collecting the helium-3 will be challenging as it is very diffusely spread out on the surface.
- Artemis Accords:
- Build on “outer space treaty” which states that all activities in space must be peaceful (no weapons) and that no one can claim sovereignty over objects in space.
- Accords allow for mining and use of space resources, but only for facilitating activities in space.
- Accords affirm peaceful space exploration and transparency of operations
- Refrain from harmful interference
- Russia has not signed it
- Canada has signed it (Lisa Campbell, president of Canadian Space Agency)
Links to Science Outreach Material:
Special thanks to Colin Vendromin for the music also thanks to Zac Kenny for the logo!