One of NASA’s most ambitious moon explorations, the Artemis III mission is set to launch no earlier than September 2026. The date might be tentative, but the American space agency is certainly aiming to land humans on the moon by next year for which&nbsp;preparations are&nbsp;in full swing.

On Tuesday, as part of NASA’s Artemis campaign, the agency is started a&nbsp;week-long field tests at the San Francisco Field near Flagstaff, Arizona. The field is said to have a lunar-like landscape, where NASA astronauts Kate Rubins and Andre Douglas are carrying out various tests.

NASA released pictures on Tuesday from the testing field in San Francisco, where astronauts can be seen donning mockup spacesuit systems as they traverse through the desert.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-colourful-phytoplankton-bloom-microscopic-plant-like-organisms-seen-in-celtic-sea-721984">NASA: Colourful Phytoplankton bloom, microscopic plant-like organisms, seen in Celtic Sea</a>

During these field tests, two integrated teams from NASA will work together as they practice end-to-end lunar operations. One team will consist of astronauts, NASA engineers, and field experts in the Arizona desert conducting the simulated moonwalks, while another team of flight controllers and scientists at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston will monitor and guide their activities.

The teams will complete a variety of technology demonstrations, hardware checkouts and Artemis science-related operations.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/three-stars-found-circling-milky-ways-halo-study-shows-they-were-formed-13-billion-years-ago-721754">Three stars found circling Milky Way’s halo, study shows they were formed 13 billion years ago</a>

“Field tests play a critical role in helping us test all of the systems, hardware, and technology we’ll need to conduct successful lunar operations during Artemis missions,” said Barbara Janoiko, director for the field test at Johnson.&nbsp;

“Our engineering and science teams have worked together seamlessly to ensure we are prepared every step of the way for when astronauts step foot on the Moon again.” &nbsp;&nbsp;

The test consists of four simulated moonwalks that follow operations planned for Artemis III and beyond, as well as six advanced technology runs. During the advanced runs, teams will demonstrate technology that may be used for future Artemis missions.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/blood-proteins-could-forewarn-cancer-diagnosis-by-over-7-years-suggests-study-721949">Blood proteins could forewarn cancer diagnosis by over 7 years, suggests study</a>On the other hand, the science team at Johnson will develop various science objectives for the field test. Their preparation included generating geologic maps, a list of science questions, and prioritized moonwalk locations for both the primary and backup “landing sites” for the test.

The tests will evaluate gaps and challenges associated with lunar South Pole operations, including data collection and communications between the flight control and science teams in Houston for rapid decision-making protocols.

(With inputs from agencies)

One of NASA’s most ambitious moon explorations, the Artemis III mission is set to launch no earlier than September 2026. The date might be tentative, but the American space agency is certainly aiming to land humans on the moon by next year for which preparations are in full swing.

One of NASA’s most ambitious moon explorations, the Artemis III mission is set to launch no earlier than September 2026. The date might be tentative, but the American space agency is certainly aiming to land humans on the moon by next year for which preparations are in full swing. On Tuesday, as part of NASA’s Artemis campaign, the agency is started a week-long field tests at the San Francisco Field near Flagstaff, Arizona. The field is said to have a lunar-like landscape, where NASA astronauts Kate Rubins and Andre Douglas are carrying out various tests. NASA released pictures on Tuesday from the testing field in San Francisco, where astronauts can be seen donning mockup spacesuit systems as they traverse through the desert. Also Read | NASA: Colourful Phytoplankton bloom, microscopic plant-like organisms, seen in Celtic Sea During these field tests, two integrated teams from NASA will work together as they practice end-to-end lunar operations. One team will consist of astronauts, NASA engineers, and field experts in the Arizona desert conducting the simulated moonwalks, while another team of flight controllers and scientists at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston will monitor and guide their activities. The teams will complete a variety of technology demonstrations, hardware checkouts and Artemis science-related operations. Also Read | Three stars found circling Milky Way’s halo, study shows they were formed 13 billion years ago “Field tests play a critical role in helping us test all of the systems, hardware, and technology we’ll need to conduct successful lunar operations during Artemis missions,” said Barbara Janoiko, director for the field test at Johnson. “Our engineering and science teams have worked together seamlessly to ensure we are prepared every step of the way for when astronauts step foot on the Moon again.” The test consists of four simulated moonwalks that follow operations planned for Artemis III and beyond, as well as six advanced technology runs. During the advanced runs, teams will demonstrate technology that may be used for future Artemis missions. Also Read | Blood proteins could forewarn cancer diagnosis by over 7 years, suggests studyOn the other hand, the science team at Johnson will develop various science objectives for the field test. Their preparation included generating geologic maps, a list of science questions, and prioritized moonwalk locations for both the primary and backup “landing sites” for the test. The tests will evaluate gaps and challenges associated with lunar South Pole operations, including data collection and communications between the flight control and science teams in Houston for rapid decision-making protocols. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA gears up for Artemis landing; practices mission moonwalk in Arizona desert

NASA’s recent study on the Moon’s South Pole revealed that some moonquakes and fault lines are also found at the lunar South Pole, which is the landing site of the Artemis 3 mission. These regions of moonquakes and faults are found both near and within the areas of the landing regions of the mission, which is set to launch in 2026.

“Our modelling suggests that shallow moonquakes capable of producing strong ground shaking in the South Polar Region are possible from slip events on existing faults or the formation of new thrust faults,” said Tom Watters of the Smithsonian Institution, Washington, lead author of a paper on the research published January 25 in the Planetary Science Journal.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/archaeologists-hunting-for-cleopatras-tomb-unearth-geometric-miracle-tunnel-683789">Tunnel found by archeologists looking for Cleopatra's tomb is a 'geometric miracle'</a>

“The global distribution of young thrust faults, their potential to be active, and the potential to form new thrust faults from ongoing global contraction should be considered when planning the location and stability of permanent outposts on the Moon.”

Chalking out these fault lines is important for the mission, to plan accordingly where to land the crewed spacecraft on the moon.&nbsp;

<h2>Fault lines and moonquakes detected near the Lunar South Pole</h2>

The detection of thousands of small and young thrust faults were detected near the South Pole with the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera onboard NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO).&nbsp;

The formation of the faults is usually accompanied by seismic activity in the form of shallow-depth moonquakes. Similar shallow moonquakes were also recorded by the Apollo Passive Seismic Network, a series of seismometers in the south-polar region.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/japans-successful-moon-landing-was-upside-down-quite-literally-683782">Japan's successful Moon landing was 'upside down', quite literally</a>

The strongest recorded shallow moonquake had an epicentre in the south-polar region.&nbsp;

The team also modelled the stability of surface slopes in the lunar South Polar Region and found that some areas are susceptible to regolith landslides from even light seismic shaking, including areas in some permanently shadowed regions. These areas are of interest due to the resources that might be found there, such as ice.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasas-hubble-telescope-finds-water-vapour-in-distant-planets-atmosphere-683925">NASA's Hubble Telescope finds water vapour in distant planet's atmosphere</a>

As the date of the Artemis mission arrives closer, it becomes crucial for researchers to make sure that the surface on which the spacecraft lands is stable.

"As we get closer to the crewed Artemis mission’s launch date, it's important to keep our astronauts, our equipment and infrastructure as safe as possible," said Nicholas Schmerr, a geologist and one of the researchers, in a statement.&nbsp;

"This work is helping us prepare for what awaits us on the moon — whether that’s engineering structures that can better withstand lunar seismic activity or protecting people from really dangerous zones."

(With inputs from agencies)

NASA’s recent study on the Moon’s South Pole revealed that some moonquakes and fault lines are also found at the lunar South Pole, which is the landing site of the Artemis 3 mission.

NASA’s recent study on the Moon’s South Pole revealed that some moonquakes and fault lines are also found at the lunar South Pole, which is the landing site of the Artemis 3 mission. These regions of moonquakes and faults are found both near and within the areas of the landing regions of the mission, which is set to launch in 2026. “Our modelling suggests that shallow moonquakes capable of producing strong ground shaking in the South Polar Region are possible from slip events on existing faults or the formation of new thrust faults,” said Tom Watters of the Smithsonian Institution, Washington, lead author of a paper on the research published January 25 in the Planetary Science Journal. Also Read | Tunnel found by archeologists looking for Cleopatra's tomb is a 'geometric miracle' “The global distribution of young thrust faults, their potential to be active, and the potential to form new thrust faults from ongoing global contraction should be considered when planning the location and stability of permanent outposts on the Moon.” Chalking out these fault lines is important for the mission, to plan accordingly where to land the crewed spacecraft on the moon. Fault lines and moonquakes detected near the Lunar South Pole The detection of thousands of small and young thrust faults were detected near the South Pole with the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera onboard NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO). The formation of the faults is usually accompanied by seismic activity in the form of shallow-depth moonquakes. Similar shallow moonquakes were also recorded by the Apollo Passive Seismic Network, a series of seismometers in the south-polar region. Also Read | Japan's successful Moon landing was 'upside down', quite literally The strongest recorded shallow moonquake had an epicentre in the south-polar region. The team also modelled the stability of surface slopes in the lunar South Polar Region and found that some areas are susceptible to regolith landslides from even light seismic shaking, including areas in some permanently shadowed regions. These areas are of interest due to the resources that might be found there, such as ice. Also Read | NASA's Hubble Telescope finds water vapour in distant planet's atmosphere As the date of the Artemis mission arrives closer, it becomes crucial for researchers to make sure that the surface on which the spacecraft lands is stable. "As we get closer to the crewed Artemis mission’s launch date, it's important to keep our astronauts, our equipment and infrastructure as safe as possible," said Nicholas Schmerr, a geologist and one of the researchers, in a statement. "This work is helping us prepare for what awaits us on the moon — whether that’s engineering structures that can better withstand lunar seismic activity or protecting people from really dangerous zones." (With inputs from agencies)

Moonquakes and fault lines detected near lunar South Pole, which is also Artemis astronauts' landing site

USA’s Artemis III mission, which intends to take it back to the Moon, is facing significant roadblocks and is expected to breach its 2025 schedule deadline.

The US Government Accountability Office (GAO) on Thursday (Nov 30) blamed the delay on two problems: SpaceX’s failure to fully develop its ‘Starship Human Landing System’ or HLS and the delay in developing the Axiom spacesuit, selected especially for lunar operations.

"NASA and its contractors have made progress, including completing several important milestones, but they still face multiple challenges," the GAO noted. "As a result, GAO found that the Artemis III crewed lunar landing is unlikely to occur in 2025," it added.

<h2>Problems with HLS</h2>

HLS has so far failed to reach the Earth’s orbit in tests, thus warranting a lot of work before it gets ready for the job.&nbsp;

As per the plans, the Starship will first reach Earth’s orbit unmanned. Astronauts will enter the Spaceship in the Moon’s orbit to get down on the lunar surface. Those humans are expected to get over to our natural satellite using NASA's Space Launch System and Orion crew capsule.

Watch:&nbsp;Chandrayaan-3: First-ever recording of Moon-quakes | WION Fineprint

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/chandrayaan-3-first-ever-recording-of-moon-quakes-wion-fineprint-631354/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

"NASA documentation states that SpaceX has made limited progress maturing the technologies needed to support this aspect of its plan," the GAO reported.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/earth-will-collide-with-moon-this-is-what-a-rogue-star-can-do-to-our-solar-system-664214">Also read:&nbsp;A rogue star can send Earth smashing into Moon, wiping out all life, study finds</a>

As per GAO, both SpaceX and HLS have delayed eight out of 13 key programmes. Of those 13 events, at least two will take place in 2025. It means that the 2025 deadline for the overall mission is not expected to be fulfilled.

"If the HLS development takes as many months as NASA major projects do, on average, the Artemis III mission would likely occur in early 2027," the GAO said.&nbsp;

<h2>Problems with the spacesuit</h2>

And then, the development of the spacesuit has also hit major roadblocks. For example, Axiom missed a key preliminary design review deadline which was scheduled to take place earlier this month.

GAO noted that the spacesuit was still “in the early phases of development."

“So don't expect to tune into another historic Moon landing in late 2025,” GAO concluded.

(With inputs from agencies)

USA’s Artemis III mission, which intends to take it back to the Moon, is facing significant roadblocks and is expected to breach its 2025 schedule deadline. The US Government Accountability Office (GAO) on Thursday (Nov 30) blamed the delay on two problems: SpaceX’s failure to fully develop its ‘Starship Human Landing System’ or HLS and the delay in developing the Axiom spacesuit, selected especially for lunar operations.

USA’s Artemis III mission, which intends to take it back to the Moon, is facing significant roadblocks and is expected to breach its 2025 schedule deadline. The US Government Accountability Office (GAO) on Thursday (Nov 30) blamed the delay on two problems: SpaceX’s failure to fully develop its ‘Starship Human Landing System’ or HLS and the delay in developing the Axiom spacesuit, selected especially for lunar operations. "NASA and its contractors have made progress, including completing several important milestones, but they still face multiple challenges," the GAO noted. "As a result, GAO found that the Artemis III crewed lunar landing is unlikely to occur in 2025," it added. Problems with HLS HLS has so far failed to reach the Earth’s orbit in tests, thus warranting a lot of work before it gets ready for the job. As per the plans, the Starship will first reach Earth’s orbit unmanned. Astronauts will enter the Spaceship in the Moon’s orbit to get down on the lunar surface. Those humans are expected to get over to our natural satellite using NASA's Space Launch System and Orion crew capsule. Watch: Chandrayaan-3: First-ever recording of Moon-quakes | WION Fineprint × "NASA documentation states that SpaceX has made limited progress maturing the technologies needed to support this aspect of its plan," the GAO reported. Also read: A rogue star can send Earth smashing into Moon, wiping out all life, study finds As per GAO, both SpaceX and HLS have delayed eight out of 13 key programmes. Of those 13 events, at least two will take place in 2025. It means that the 2025 deadline for the overall mission is not expected to be fulfilled. "If the HLS development takes as many months as NASA major projects do, on average, the Artemis III mission would likely occur in early 2027," the GAO said. Problems with the spacesuit And then, the development of the spacesuit has also hit major roadblocks. For example, Axiom missed a key preliminary design review deadline which was scheduled to take place earlier this month. GAO noted that the spacesuit was still “in the early phases of development." “So don't expect to tune into another historic Moon landing in late 2025,” GAO concluded. (With inputs from agencies)

Artemis III: No Moon landing in 2025 as SpaceX keeps missing deadlines

Elon Musk's SpaceX will soon carry out its first test flight of 'Starship,' a rocket&nbsp;which, as per AFP, is touted as the company's most powerful rocket ever built and is designed to ferry humans to the Moon and beyond. The launch which is scheduled for Monday, as per a Reuters report, comes after the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) gave it a green flag. The long-awaited license allowing the space vehicle to be launched into orbit was granted on Friday. It&nbsp;clears the way for the test flight that is crucial to&nbsp;SpaceX's goals in space.&nbsp;

The launch is monumental. SpaceX's Starship is the space capsule the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) selected for its Artemis III mission.

"Success maybe, excitement guaranteed!," tweeted billionaire Elon Musk late on Friday.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Success maybe, excitement guaranteed! <a href="https://t.co/LoDrBmHkQa">https://t.co/LoDrBmHkQa</a>
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1647023634899169281?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 14, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/explained-get-the-dope-on-juice-europes-mission-to-find-aliens-582516">Explained | Get the dope on JUICE, Europe’s mission to find aliens</a>

In a statement, FAA said: "After a comprehensive licence evaluation process, the FAA determined SpaceX met all safety, environmental, policy, payload, airspace integration and financial responsibility requirements."

The licence&nbsp;is valid for five years.&nbsp;As per regulatory notices filed on Friday, the liftoff of SpaceX's most powerful rocket 'ever' can happen anytime from 5:30 am to 2 pm Central time on Monday.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/ai-models-like-chatgpt-drink-an-enormous-volume-of-water-finds-study-582496">AI models like ChatGPT ‘drink’ an enormous volume of water, finds study</a>

AFP pins the liftoff time at 7 am (1200 GMT) from the private space company's sprawling Texas base. It also reports that in case the attempt is postponed, fallback times are scheduled for later this week.

Starship consists of a reusable capsule that carries crew and cargo and the first-stage Super Heavy booster rocket. Slated for late 2025 at the earliest, the Artemis III mission will take humans to the lunar surface.

(With inputs from agencies) 
 
&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Elon Musk's SpaceX will soon carry out its first test flight of 'Starship,' a rocket which, as per AFP, is touted as the company's most powerful rocket ever built and is designed to ferry humans to the Moon and beyond.

Elon Musk's SpaceX will soon carry out its first test flight of 'Starship,' a rocket which, as per AFP, is touted as the company's most powerful rocket ever built and is designed to ferry humans to the Moon and beyond. The launch which is scheduled for Monday, as per a Reuters report, comes after the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) gave it a green flag. The long-awaited license allowing the space vehicle to be launched into orbit was granted on Friday. It clears the way for the test flight that is crucial to SpaceX's goals in space. The launch is monumental. SpaceX's Starship is the space capsule the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) selected for its Artemis III mission. "Success maybe, excitement guaranteed!," tweeted billionaire Elon Musk late on Friday. Success maybe, excitement guaranteed! https://t.co/LoDrBmHkQa — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 14, 2023 × Also read | Explained | Get the dope on JUICE, Europe’s mission to find aliens In a statement, FAA said: "After a comprehensive licence evaluation process, the FAA determined SpaceX met all safety, environmental, policy, payload, airspace integration and financial responsibility requirements." The licence is valid for five years. As per regulatory notices filed on Friday, the liftoff of SpaceX's most powerful rocket 'ever' can happen anytime from 5:30 am to 2 pm Central time on Monday. Also read | AI models like ChatGPT ‘drink’ an enormous volume of water, finds study AFP pins the liftoff time at 7 am (1200 GMT) from the private space company's sprawling Texas base. It also reports that in case the attempt is postponed, fallback times are scheduled for later this week. Starship consists of a reusable capsule that carries crew and cargo and the first-stage Super Heavy booster rocket. Slated for late 2025 at the earliest, the Artemis III mission will take humans to the lunar surface. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Up, Up, and Away!: Elon Musk’s SpaceX to try and launch ‘Starship,’ its most powerful rocket ever on Monday

Christina Koch has been named the mission specialist of NASA's Artemis III mission, whose success will designate her as the first woman to walk on the Moon. In the annals of recorded human history, Koch may potentially have a pre-fixture of herself whose walk down the lunar surface will leap across the gender barriers over five decades after a human first walked on the Moon. That first walk has often been criticised for being exclusionary because the phrase which came to define its success had men of one race becoming synonymous with humankind: 'One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.'

But as a leap for humankind in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasas-moon-landing-sites-for-artemis-iii-mission-what-are-they-508583">2025</a>, NASA's Artemis-III will put the first woman (Christina Koch) and the first person of colour Victor Glover) on the Moon.&nbsp;<img alt="Christina Koch with Victor Glover, who will be the first man of colour on Moon" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5d8e2834-6535-4fea-a39e-8be6b972152f" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2817%29_39.jpg" />

Christina Koch with Victor Glover, who will be the first man of colour on Moon | @Astro_Christina/Twitter

A NASA astronaut of the Class of 2013, Koch was born in Michigan and raised in North Carolina. She graduated from the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics, and then enrolled at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, from which she earned two Bachelor of Science degrees, in electrical engineering and physics (2001), and a Master of Science degree in electrical engineering (2002). In December 2020, Koch was awarded an honorary Doctor of Sciences degree from her alma mater, North Carolina State University.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/explained-nasa-to-unveil-artemis-2-astronauts-heres-all-about-the-moon-mission-578664">Explained: NASA unveils Artemis 2 astronauts. Here's all about the moon mission</a>

Christina is also one of the two women-ever to have completed an all-female spacewalk along with another astronaut Jessica Meir in October 2019.

"Men’s physiology, perspectives, values, measurements, comfort and ambitions have mostly been the default template for designing major human endeavours," Mae Jemison, a former NASA astronaut, and the first African-American woman in space wrote in TIME magazine in a joint profile of Koch and Meir.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;Artemis I Explained: NASA's first mission to land humans on the moon after 50 years

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/artemis-i-explained-nasas-first-mission-to-land-humans-on-the-moon-after-50-years-510343/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Christina Koch has spent 328 consecutive days in microgravity in 2019 and 2020, setting the record for the longest duration in space for a woman during a single mission.&nbsp;

During that time, she worked on hundreds of experiments, including studies of protein crystals and plants in space. She participated in a number of studies to support future exploration missions, including research into how the human body adjusts to weightlessness, isolation, radiation, and the stress of long-duration spaceflight, according to a NASA statement.

Koch has also served as station chief of the American Samoa Observatory and has contributed to the development of instruments used to study radiation particles for the Juno mission and the Van Allen Probe.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1  width=&quot;100%&quot;"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Christina Koch has been named the mission specialist of NASA's Artemis III mission, whose success will designate her as the first woman to walk on the Moon. In the annals of recorded human history, Koch may potentially have a pre-fixture of herself whose walk down the lunar surface will leap across the gender barriers over five decades after a human first walked on the Moon.

Christina Koch has been named the mission specialist of NASA's Artemis III mission, whose success will designate her as the first woman to walk on the Moon. In the annals of recorded human history, Koch may potentially have a pre-fixture of herself whose walk down the lunar surface will leap across the gender barriers over five decades after a human first walked on the Moon. That first walk has often been criticised for being exclusionary because the phrase which came to define its success had men of one race becoming synonymous with humankind: 'One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.' But as a leap for humankind in 2025, NASA's Artemis-III will put the first woman (Christina Koch) and the first person of colour Victor Glover) on the Moon. Christina Koch with Victor Glover, who will be the first man of colour on Moon | @Astro_Christina/Twitter A NASA astronaut of the Class of 2013, Koch was born in Michigan and raised in North Carolina. She graduated from the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics, and then enrolled at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, from which she earned two Bachelor of Science degrees, in electrical engineering and physics (2001), and a Master of Science degree in electrical engineering (2002). In December 2020, Koch was awarded an honorary Doctor of Sciences degree from her alma mater, North Carolina State University. ALSO READ | Explained: NASA unveils Artemis 2 astronauts. Here's all about the moon mission Christina is also one of the two women-ever to have completed an all-female spacewalk along with another astronaut Jessica Meir in October 2019. "Men’s physiology, perspectives, values, measurements, comfort and ambitions have mostly been the default template for designing major human endeavours," Mae Jemison, a former NASA astronaut, and the first African-American woman in space wrote in TIME magazine in a joint profile of Koch and Meir. ALSO WATCH | Artemis I Explained: NASA's first mission to land humans on the moon after 50 years × Christina Koch has spent 328 consecutive days in microgravity in 2019 and 2020, setting the record for the longest duration in space for a woman during a single mission. During that time, she worked on hundreds of experiments, including studies of protein crystals and plants in space. She participated in a number of studies to support future exploration missions, including research into how the human body adjusts to weightlessness, isolation, radiation, and the stress of long-duration spaceflight, according to a NASA statement. Koch has also served as station chief of the American Samoa Observatory and has contributed to the development of instruments used to study radiation particles for the Juno mission and the Van Allen Probe. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Who is Christina Koch? NASA astronaut set for womankind's giant leap

After months of delay caused by technological woes, natural disasters and bad weather, NASA's unmanned Moon mission Artemis-I, finally and successfully lifted off, on Wednesday (November 16) marking a historic moment in space exploration. However, it was only the beginning of the US space agency’s plan to set up the Artemis Base Camp.&nbsp;

NASA's Artemis rocket ship embarked on a voyage around the moon and back nearly five decades after the Apollo lunar mission from Florida which is aimed at getting astronauts back on the lunar surface as early as 2025 as part of Artemis-III. Along with this, the space agency also plans to construct the base camp on the Moon’s south pole.&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/artemis-1-launched-as-nasa-ushers-into-a-new-era-of-lunar-exploration-534646">Artemis 1 launched successfully, NASA ushers in a new era of lunar exploration</a>

According to NASA, initially, the camp will start small and include short surface stays but eventually, the goal is to expand size and sophistication so that it will sustain crews for up to two months at a time. “On each new trip, astronauts are going to have an increasing level of comfort with the capabilities to explore and study more of the Moon than ever before,” said NASA’s associate administrator for human spaceflight, Kathy Lueders, in a statement.&nbsp;

The Artemis Base Camp will also include “a modern lunar cabin and even a mobile home”, including an unpressurised rover to transport suited astronauts as well as a pressurised one to enable long treks away from the base. In the long run, NASA envisions a fixed habitat at the Artemis Base Camp that can house up to four astronauts for at least a month-long stay, said the statement.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/artemis-i-explained-nasas-first-mission-to-land-humans-on-the-moon-after-50-years-510343">Artemis I Explained: NASA's first mission to land humans on the moon after 50 years</a>

“With more demand for access to the moon, we are developing the technologies to achieve an unprecedented human and robotic presence 240,000 miles from home. Our experience on the moon this decade will prepare us for an even greater adventure in the universe –human exploration of Mars,” said Lueders. NASA’s central vision also includes finding and extracting resources from the moon over time which would reduce the load on rockets carrying supplies that will take off from Earth.&nbsp;

According to the director of the Technical Integration Office in NASA’s Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate, Greg Chavers, the space agency is also considering modular and inflatable structures given that they will be compact and lightweight in transit in order to create large habitable spaces on the moon, said a report by Smithsonian.&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/nasas-historic-moon-mission-artemis-shares-first-images-from-space-534974">NASA's historic moon mission Artemis shares first images from space</a>

The mission Artemis is named after the ancient Greek goddess of hunting and the moon as well as Apollo’s twin sister, the programme aims to return astronauts to the lunar surface in 2025. NASA has also promised that this mission will also witness “the first woman and the first person of colour” to walk on the moon. 
&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

After months of delay caused by technological woes, natural disasters and bad weather, NASA's unmanned Moon mission Artemis-I, finally and successfully lifted off, on Wednesday (November 16) marking a historic moment in space exploration.

After months of delay caused by technological woes, natural disasters and bad weather, NASA's unmanned Moon mission Artemis-I, finally and successfully lifted off, on Wednesday (November 16) marking a historic moment in space exploration. However, it was only the beginning of the US space agency’s plan to set up the Artemis Base Camp. NASA's Artemis rocket ship embarked on a voyage around the moon and back nearly five decades after the Apollo lunar mission from Florida which is aimed at getting astronauts back on the lunar surface as early as 2025 as part of Artemis-III. Along with this, the space agency also plans to construct the base camp on the Moon’s south pole. ALSO READ: Artemis 1 launched successfully, NASA ushers in a new era of lunar exploration According to NASA, initially, the camp will start small and include short surface stays but eventually, the goal is to expand size and sophistication so that it will sustain crews for up to two months at a time. “On each new trip, astronauts are going to have an increasing level of comfort with the capabilities to explore and study more of the Moon than ever before,” said NASA’s associate administrator for human spaceflight, Kathy Lueders, in a statement. The Artemis Base Camp will also include “a modern lunar cabin and even a mobile home”, including an unpressurised rover to transport suited astronauts as well as a pressurised one to enable long treks away from the base. In the long run, NASA envisions a fixed habitat at the Artemis Base Camp that can house up to four astronauts for at least a month-long stay, said the statement. ALSO WATCH: Artemis I Explained: NASA's first mission to land humans on the moon after 50 years “With more demand for access to the moon, we are developing the technologies to achieve an unprecedented human and robotic presence 240,000 miles from home. Our experience on the moon this decade will prepare us for an even greater adventure in the universe –human exploration of Mars,” said Lueders. NASA’s central vision also includes finding and extracting resources from the moon over time which would reduce the load on rockets carrying supplies that will take off from Earth. According to the director of the Technical Integration Office in NASA’s Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate, Greg Chavers, the space agency is also considering modular and inflatable structures given that they will be compact and lightweight in transit in order to create large habitable spaces on the moon, said a report by Smithsonian. ALSO READ: NASA's historic moon mission Artemis shares first images from space The mission Artemis is named after the ancient Greek goddess of hunting and the moon as well as Apollo’s twin sister, the programme aims to return astronauts to the lunar surface in 2025. NASA has also promised that this mission will also witness “the first woman and the first person of colour” to walk on the moon. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

NASA plans to send astronauts to live and work on the Moon within this decade

As NASA's new SLS rocket prepares&nbsp;to blast off to space as part of the Artemis programme, the US space agency announced it had identified landing regions near the lunar South Pole for the Artemis III misson targeted for 2025.&nbsp;

"Selecting these regions means we are one giant leap closer to returning humans to the Moon for the first time since Apollo,” NASA's top official &nbsp;Mark Kirasich responsible for the Artemis said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nasas-massive-us-moon-rocket-emerges-for-debut-launch-507701">Also Read:&nbsp;NASA's massive US moon rocket emerges for debut launch</a>

Americans had last been to the Moon as part of the Apollo mission in 1972. NASA's Artemis project intends to put the first woman and the first person of colour on the Moon's surface.

Watch:&nbsp;NASA Satellite captures Britain turning brown due to drought

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-climate-tracker-nasa-satellite-captures-britain-turning-brown-due-to-drought-507153/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Which landing regions on the Moon were identified?

NASA identified thirteen sites for the potential landing including Faustini Rim A, Peak Near Shackleton, Connecting Ridge, Connecting Ridge Extension, de Gerlache Rim 1 
de Gerlache Rim 2, de Gerlache-Kocher Massif, Haworth, Malapert Massif, Leibnitz Beta Plateau, Nobile Rim 1, Nobile Rim 2 and Amundsen Rim.

NASA said the lunar regions contain "diverse geologic features" and that it allows "flexibility to launch throughout the year".

How were the regions selected?

NASA said it had engaged scientists and engineers to assess the lunar South Pole using data from the lunar reconnaissance orbiter. The US space agency also took help from earlier publications and lunar science findings while evaluating regions based on their ability to accommodate safe landings.

NASA scientists studied terrain slope, ease of communication including lighting conditions.

It also assessed the space launch rocket systems, Orion spacecraft&nbsp;and the SpaceX starship landing system. The scientists said all sites had proximity to the lunar South Pole and were rich in resources with terrain unexplored by humans.

(With inputs from Agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

As NASA's new SLS rocket prepares to blast off to space as part of the Artemis programme, the US space agency announced it had identified landing regions near the lunar South Pole for the Artemis III misson targeted for 2025.

As NASA's new SLS rocket prepares to blast off to space as part of the Artemis programme, the US space agency announced it had identified landing regions near the lunar South Pole for the Artemis III misson targeted for 2025. "Selecting these regions means we are one giant leap closer to returning humans to the Moon for the first time since Apollo,” NASA's top official Mark Kirasich responsible for the Artemis said. Also Read: NASA's massive US moon rocket emerges for debut launch Americans had last been to the Moon as part of the Apollo mission in 1972. NASA's Artemis project intends to put the first woman and the first person of colour on the Moon's surface. Watch: NASA Satellite captures Britain turning brown due to drought Which landing regions on the Moon were identified? NASA identified thirteen sites for the potential landing including Faustini Rim A, Peak Near Shackleton, Connecting Ridge, Connecting Ridge Extension, de Gerlache Rim 1 de Gerlache Rim 2, de Gerlache-Kocher Massif, Haworth, Malapert Massif, Leibnitz Beta Plateau, Nobile Rim 1, Nobile Rim 2 and Amundsen Rim. NASA said the lunar regions contain "diverse geologic features" and that it allows "flexibility to launch throughout the year". How were the regions selected? NASA said it had engaged scientists and engineers to assess the lunar South Pole using data from the lunar reconnaissance orbiter. The US space agency also took help from earlier publications and lunar science findings while evaluating regions based on their ability to accommodate safe landings. NASA scientists studied terrain slope, ease of communication including lighting conditions. It also assessed the space launch rocket systems, Orion spacecraft and the SpaceX starship landing system. The scientists said all sites had proximity to the lunar South Pole and were rich in resources with terrain unexplored by humans. (With inputs from Agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

NASA's Moon landing sites for Artemis III mission: What are they?

American aerospace and defence company Lockheed Martin alongside tyre-maker Goodyear is reportedly working on a joint project to develop a new lunar rover that will be used by space astronauts for NASA's Artemis lunar landing program.

NASA is reportedly planning to have a variety of lunar vehicles on its roster. From hauling commercial payloads to carrying human astronauts to isolated regions of the moon on extended trips, NASA is looking for a wide pool of options.&nbsp;

Read More:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/a-mysterious-spacecraft-crashed-into-the-moon-says-nasa-492426">Mystery deepens as spacecraft crashes into Moon, creating a double crater</a>

Kirk Shireman, vice president of Lunar Exploration Campaigns at Lockheed Martin stated that,&nbsp;unlike previous rovers that only lasted a few days, the new and much improved jointly-developed rover is being built for extended use and other commercial setups as well.&nbsp;

“We’re developing this new generation of Lunar mobility vehicle to be available to NASA and for commercial companies and even other space agencies to support science and human exploration,” said Shireman.&nbsp;

It is pertinent to note that Goodyear has previously worked with NASA on the famous Apollo missions. The tyre company is expected to use a state-of-the-art airless tyre technology that can be used for rovers as well as passenger vehicles, here on Earth.&nbsp;

Chris Helsel, senior vice president, global operations and chief technology officer at Goodyear was quoted as saying to the media, “Everything we learn from making tires for the moon’s extremely difficult operating environment will help us make better airless tires on Earth."

Read More:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasas-perseverance-rover-spots-noodle-like-object-on-mars-leaves-scientists-intrigued-498186">NASA's Perseverance rover spots noodle-like object on Mars, leaves scientists intrigued</a>

The new lunar vehicle will allow the astronauts to reach the dark side of the Moon i.e South Pole. Up until now, the Moon has been relatively unexplored. According to estimates, only five per cent terrain of earth's natural satellite has been traversed by humans. The rest remains there for exploration.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1  width=&quot;100%&quot;"></iframe>

American aerospace and defence company Lockheed Martin alongside tyre-maker Goodyear is reportedly working on a joint project to develop a new lunar rover that will be used by space astronauts for NASA's Artemis lunar landing program.

American aerospace and defence company Lockheed Martin alongside tyre-maker Goodyear is reportedly working on a joint project to develop a new lunar rover that will be used by space astronauts for NASA's Artemis lunar landing program. NASA is reportedly planning to have a variety of lunar vehicles on its roster. From hauling commercial payloads to carrying human astronauts to isolated regions of the moon on extended trips, NASA is looking for a wide pool of options. Read More: Mystery deepens as spacecraft crashes into Moon, creating a double crater Kirk Shireman, vice president of Lunar Exploration Campaigns at Lockheed Martin stated that, unlike previous rovers that only lasted a few days, the new and much improved jointly-developed rover is being built for extended use and other commercial setups as well. “We’re developing this new generation of Lunar mobility vehicle to be available to NASA and for commercial companies and even other space agencies to support science and human exploration,” said Shireman. It is pertinent to note that Goodyear has previously worked with NASA on the famous Apollo missions. The tyre company is expected to use a state-of-the-art airless tyre technology that can be used for rovers as well as passenger vehicles, here on Earth. Chris Helsel, senior vice president, global operations and chief technology officer at Goodyear was quoted as saying to the media, “Everything we learn from making tires for the moon’s extremely difficult operating environment will help us make better airless tires on Earth." Read More: NASA's Perseverance rover spots noodle-like object on Mars, leaves scientists intrigued The new lunar vehicle will allow the astronauts to reach the dark side of the Moon i.e South Pole. Up until now, the Moon has been relatively unexplored. According to estimates, only five per cent terrain of earth's natural satellite has been traversed by humans. The rest remains there for exploration. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Lockheed Martin and Goodyear to jointly develop lunar rover for NASA's Artemis mission

Mission to Moon: How US and Japan plan to once again send humans to the lunar surface

NASA is developing a new spacesuit with a built-in cooling system to help astronauts withstand the unfiltered sun rays on the Moon.

In a new video published by NASA, the astronauts were seen spacewalking outside the International Space Station wearing the suit as they receive cool water from a device onboard.

NASA hopes that their suit will be able to protect their astronauts from the moon's temperature that can reach a boiling 250 degrees Fahrenheit (120 degrees Celsius or 400 Kelvin) during lunar daytime at the moon's equator.

Though the concept of a built-in cooling system dates back to the 1970s of the Apollo missions, the US space agency has added additional new features to the suit that can withstand the harsh sun rays.

According to NASA, the new spacesuit is equipped with pressure sensors, a thermal control loop to maintain a set temperature, and has the ability to release warm water vapour into space.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AwUvh9sluOA" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

“As NASA embraces commercial partnerships to optimize spacesuit technology as part of the Artemis program, the Spacesuit Evaporation Rejection Flight Experiment (SERFE) payload continues to be tested onboard the International Space Station,” NASA wrote in the caption of the clip.&nbsp;

According to NASA, the latest cooling technology is being tested for the upcoming Artemis missions, which are set to take place in 2025. The programme&nbsp;aims to return the humans to the Moon.

In 2025, Artemis 3 will bring humans to the moon with the first woman and person of colour to reach the lunar surface on board.

The crew will touch down near the moon’s south pole, which is believed to have&nbsp;large amounts of ice.

&nbsp;

NASA is developing a new spacesuit with a built-in cooling system to help astronauts withstand the unfiltered sun rays on the Moon. In a new video published by NASA, the astronauts were seen spacewalking outside the International Space Station wearing the suit as they receive cool water from a device onboard.

NASA is developing a new spacesuit with a built-in cooling system to help astronauts withstand the unfiltered sun rays on the Moon. In a new video published by NASA, the astronauts were seen spacewalking outside the International Space Station wearing the suit as they receive cool water from a device onboard. NASA hopes that their suit will be able to protect their astronauts from the moon's temperature that can reach a boiling 250 degrees Fahrenheit (120 degrees Celsius or 400 Kelvin) during lunar daytime at the moon's equator. Though the concept of a built-in cooling system dates back to the 1970s of the Apollo missions, the US space agency has added additional new features to the suit that can withstand the harsh sun rays. According to NASA, the new spacesuit is equipped with pressure sensors, a thermal control loop to maintain a set temperature, and has the ability to release warm water vapour into space. × “As NASA embraces commercial partnerships to optimize spacesuit technology as part of the Artemis program, the Spacesuit Evaporation Rejection Flight Experiment (SERFE) payload continues to be tested onboard the International Space Station,” NASA wrote in the caption of the clip. According to NASA, the latest cooling technology is being tested for the upcoming Artemis missions, which are set to take place in 2025. The programme aims to return the humans to the Moon. In 2025, Artemis 3 will bring humans to the moon with the first woman and person of colour to reach the lunar surface on board. The crew will touch down near the moon’s south pole, which is believed to have large amounts of ice.

Watch: NASA working on new spacesuit with built-in cooling system to withstand Moon temperatures

NASA has chosen four US small businesses to develop a range of technologies for sustainable exploration of the Moon under the Artemis programme.

The said programme aims to land the first woman and next man on the lunar surface in 2024.

NASA's small business programme will award the companies with follow-on funds with an expected combined value of approximately $17 million, and will accelerate the development of lunar technologies relevant to Artemis.

The selected companies and technologies include Fibertek of Herndon, Virginia, which will advance optical communications technologies for small spacecraft around the Moon and beyond. The system could establish high bandwidth communications in the vicinity of the Moon to relay vast amounts of data from lunar landers to Earth.

Qualtech Systems of Rocky Hill, Connecticut, will mature autonomous systems capable of continuously monitoring and providing fault and health management for spacecraft such as Gateway, a future outpost around the Moon, whether there are astronauts aboard or not.

Another company selected by NASA is Pioneer Astronautics of Lakewood, Colorado, which will build and demonstrate hardware to produce oxygen and steel from lunar regolith, or soil.

Protoinnovations of Pittsburgh will advance traction control and improve the driving ability of robotic and crewed rovers in unknown and highly variable terrain on the Moon.

NASA has chosen four US small businesses to develop a range of technologies for sustainable exploration of the Moon under the Artemis programme. The said programme aims to land the first woman and next man on the lunar surface in 2024.

NASA has chosen four US small businesses to develop a range of technologies for sustainable exploration of the Moon under the Artemis programme. The said programme aims to land the first woman and next man on the lunar surface in 2024. NASA's small business programme will award the companies with follow-on funds with an expected combined value of approximately $17 million, and will accelerate the development of lunar technologies relevant to Artemis. The selected companies and technologies include Fibertek of Herndon, Virginia, which will advance optical communications technologies for small spacecraft around the Moon and beyond. The system could establish high bandwidth communications in the vicinity of the Moon to relay vast amounts of data from lunar landers to Earth. Qualtech Systems of Rocky Hill, Connecticut, will mature autonomous systems capable of continuously monitoring and providing fault and health management for spacecraft such as Gateway, a future outpost around the Moon, whether there are astronauts aboard or not. Another company selected by NASA is Pioneer Astronautics of Lakewood, Colorado, which will build and demonstrate hardware to produce oxygen and steel from lunar regolith, or soil. Protoinnovations of Pittsburgh will advance traction control and improve the driving ability of robotic and crewed rovers in unknown and highly variable terrain on the Moon.

NASA picks four US small businesses to build Artemis lunar tech

NASA on Friday celebrated its latest class of graduating astronauts at a public ceremony in Houston, honouring a diverse and gender-balanced group now qualified for spaceflight missions including America's return to the Moon and eventual journey to Mars.

After completing more than two years of basic training, the six women and seven men were chosen from a record-breaking 18,000 applicants and represent a wide variety of backgrounds and specialities, from pilots to scientists, engineers and doctors.

The group included two candidates from the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), which has participated in a joint training program with the United States since 1983.

"They are the best of the best: They are highly qualified and very diverse, and they represent all of America," said NASA Administrator <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/boeing-starliner-returning-to-earth-early-after-mission-failure-269557">Jim Bridenstine</a>.&nbsp;

The class included five people of colour, including the first Iranian-American astronaut, Jasmin Moghbeli, who flew helicopter combat missions in Afghanistan and holds an engineering degree from MIT, and geologist Jessica Watkins, who joins only a handful of black women to complete the program.

The group, known as the "Turtles," wore blue flight jumpsuits and took turns approaching the podium to receive their silver astronaut pins, as their fellow classmates paid tribute to their character in the first-ever public graduation ceremony.

The tradition of handing out pins dates back to the Mercury 7 astronauts who were selected in 1959, with participants receiving their gold pins once they complete their first spaceflights.

After being selected in 2017, the class completed training in spacewalking at NASA's underwater Neutral Buoyancy Lab, robotics, the systems of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/spacex-launches-third-batch-of-mini-satellites-into-orbit-272623">International Space Station</a> and piloting the T-38 training jet, plus Russian language lessons.

They are the first to graduate since NASA announced the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nasa-plans-to-send-water-hunting-robot-to-moon-surface-in-2022-258216">Artemis program</a> to return to the Moon by 2024, this time on its south pole, as the United States plans to place the next man and first woman on lunar soil and set up an orbital space station.

Part of the group's training, therefore, included studying the building blocks of that program, which are still being developed: the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/glitch-delays-european-cheops-satellite-launch-268717">Space Launch System</a> rocket, the Orion crew capsule and the gateway space station.

But NASA has already said that the crew of the first return Moon mission, Artemis 3, will be selected from previous graduates.

Astronauts play an active role in the development of spacecraft, and the current group will eventually join the ranks of the approximately 500 people in history who have ventured into space.

The 11 US astronauts bring the total number of NASA's corps up to 48.

Their diversity stands in contrast to the early years of space exploration, long dominated by white men (including all 12 people who have walked on the Moon) until Sally Ride became the first American woman in space in 1983 and Guion Bluford the first black astronaut the same year.

It also includes Indian-American Raja Chari, an Air Force colonel and aeronautical engineer;&nbsp;Frank Rubio, a medical doctor and Blackhawk pilot; and Jonny Kim, a decorated Navy SEAL and emergency physician, who holds both a doctorate in medicine from Harvard and a mathematics degree.

"When I heard about possibly being a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/world-to-witness-2020s-first-lunar-eclipse-today-273350">NASA</a> astronaut I thought that was a platform like no other where I could leave a huge impact on the next generation and also contribute to our nation's space exploration," Kim told reporters.

Watkins praised what she called NASA's emphasis on diversity.

"I think cultural and social change can be slow, even when it's trending in the right direction," she said.

The CSA's newest astronauts are Joshua Kutryk,&nbsp;a Royal Canadian Air Force lieutenant colonel, and Jennifer Sidey-Gibbons who holds a doctorate in engineering from the University of Cambridge where she was working as an assistant professor in combustion in the Department of Engineering.

Asked about the difficulties she faced in her career, Moghbeli said some had questioned her choices when she decided to join the military after graduating from MIT.

"In a post-September 11 world, did my parents think I was crazy? Yes, I'm pretty sure they did," she said but added that her family then gave her their full support.

"It's because of that that I'm here today, and I think everyone feels similarly, but -- that being said -- there will always be people out there that doubt.

"When I was a sixth-grader and said I was going to become an astronaut, do you think everyone was like, 'Yep, she's going to become an astronaut'? Probably not."&nbsp;

NASA on Friday celebrated its latest class of graduating astronauts at a public ceremony in Houston, honouring a diverse and gender-balanced group now qualified for spaceflight missions including America's return to the Moon and eventual journey to Mars.

NASA on Friday celebrated its latest class of graduating astronauts at a public ceremony in Houston, honouring a diverse and gender-balanced group now qualified for spaceflight missions including America's return to the Moon and eventual journey to Mars. After completing more than two years of basic training, the six women and seven men were chosen from a record-breaking 18,000 applicants and represent a wide variety of backgrounds and specialities, from pilots to scientists, engineers and doctors. The group included two candidates from the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), which has participated in a joint training program with the United States since 1983. "They are the best of the best: They are highly qualified and very diverse, and they represent all of America," said NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine. The class included five people of colour, including the first Iranian-American astronaut, Jasmin Moghbeli, who flew helicopter combat missions in Afghanistan and holds an engineering degree from MIT, and geologist Jessica Watkins, who joins only a handful of black women to complete the program. The group, known as the "Turtles," wore blue flight jumpsuits and took turns approaching the podium to receive their silver astronaut pins, as their fellow classmates paid tribute to their character in the first-ever public graduation ceremony. The tradition of handing out pins dates back to the Mercury 7 astronauts who were selected in 1959, with participants receiving their gold pins once they complete their first spaceflights. After being selected in 2017, the class completed training in spacewalking at NASA's underwater Neutral Buoyancy Lab, robotics, the systems of the International Space Station and piloting the T-38 training jet, plus Russian language lessons. They are the first to graduate since NASA announced the Artemis program to return to the Moon by 2024, this time on its south pole, as the United States plans to place the next man and first woman on lunar soil and set up an orbital space station. Part of the group's training, therefore, included studying the building blocks of that program, which are still being developed: the Space Launch System rocket, the Orion crew capsule and the gateway space station. But NASA has already said that the crew of the first return Moon mission, Artemis 3, will be selected from previous graduates. Astronauts play an active role in the development of spacecraft, and the current group will eventually join the ranks of the approximately 500 people in history who have ventured into space. The 11 US astronauts bring the total number of NASA's corps up to 48. Their diversity stands in contrast to the early years of space exploration, long dominated by white men (including all 12 people who have walked on the Moon) until Sally Ride became the first American woman in space in 1983 and Guion Bluford the first black astronaut the same year. It also includes Indian-American Raja Chari, an Air Force colonel and aeronautical engineer; Frank Rubio, a medical doctor and Blackhawk pilot; and Jonny Kim, a decorated Navy SEAL and emergency physician, who holds both a doctorate in medicine from Harvard and a mathematics degree. "When I heard about possibly being a NASA astronaut I thought that was a platform like no other where I could leave a huge impact on the next generation and also contribute to our nation's space exploration," Kim told reporters. Watkins praised what she called NASA's emphasis on diversity. "I think cultural and social change can be slow, even when it's trending in the right direction," she said. The CSA's newest astronauts are Joshua Kutryk, a Royal Canadian Air Force lieutenant colonel, and Jennifer Sidey-Gibbons who holds a doctorate in engineering from the University of Cambridge where she was working as an assistant professor in combustion in the Department of Engineering. Asked about the difficulties she faced in her career, Moghbeli said some had questioned her choices when she decided to join the military after graduating from MIT. "In a post-September 11 world, did my parents think I was crazy? Yes, I'm pretty sure they did," she said but added that her family then gave her their full support. "It's because of that that I'm here today, and I think everyone feels similarly, but -- that being said -- there will always be people out there that doubt. "When I was a sixth-grader and said I was going to become an astronaut, do you think everyone was like, 'Yep, she's going to become an astronaut'? Probably not."

Eyeing Moon, NASA hosts first public astronaut graduation ceremony

artemis-3

Artemis 3, News on Artemis 3, stories on Artemis 3, articles on Artemis 3, Artemis 3 stories at Wion, Artemis 3 news, Artemis 3 latest news

artemis 3