NASA’s Artemis is the First Spaceship Launch Since 1972

Almost three months to the day NASA’s Artemis was originally supposed to be launched, it finally made lift-off on November 16th. This launch is the beginning of a new space program that NASA is looking into the future with. 

The new 32-story tall Artemis I rocket, named Orion, made its first test flight in November as the agency hopes it will be the next ship to bring astronauts back onto the moon in just a few years time. 

Artemis’ original launch had been postponed multiple times dating back to late August when it was originally planned to take off. Its initial launch was halted due to a faulty engine sensor. Then its rescheduled launch in early September was postponed again because of a hydrogen leak that prompted the NASA team to make alterations to the ship. 

The devastating Hurricane Ian that hit hard in the southeastern United States—most notably Florida where NASA is located— forced yet another date to be scheduled for the rocket’s launch. The launch was postponed yet again when Artemis was blasted by Hurricane Nicole as it was returning to its launch pad. 

Its lift-off flight took place on November 16 at 1:47 A.M. from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System), became the most powerful spacecraft in the world. After its launch, Orion is planned to travel over 40,000 miles past the moon and circle back to Earth in just over 25 days. 

The successful launch of Artemis I is an important test before they can move on to their next phase of NASA’s “Moon to Mars” exploration program, where they are looking to benefit humanity by exploring outwards of just the moon. Looking ahead to Artemis II, NASA is looking to fly astronauts on their next launch as a part of the program. 

Safe to say, Artemis had been through a lot even before its initial launch. But in the end, the mission that Artemis has in store for the future is something to wait for. A successful test launch will pave the way for the future of NASA’s program, as they are looking to make history and put the first person of color and the first woman onto the moon. Speaking of history, Artemis would be the first space vehicle designed to bring astronauts to the moon since Apollo 17 in 1972.