NASA Mission Makes History

By Austin Colm ‘25
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has announced a new mission to the moon as the second phase in the Artemis program, the first manned mission since Apollo 17 in 1972.  

The mission aims to orbit the moon for a period of ten days and then return to the Earth. 
“We have spent our entire lives looking up at the moon, and we are gonna go out there and look back at Earth from that same distance,” said Navy Captain Reid Wiseman, the mission's commander. “That is crazy.”
Artemis will explore the moon’s south pole, where frozen water has previously been discovered. Water frozen in outer space can be chemically or physically manipulated into breathable oxygen or rocket fuel, providing much-needed resources for future missions to deeper regions of the solar system. The mission is scheduled for late next year and will utilize a unique life support system to make strides toward NASA’s goal of sending a manned mission to Mars.
“I think that this manned mission to the moon will be monumental to space exploration,” said sophomore Ari Jacobs. “Assuming that the mission is successful, I think that the astronauts will be able to collect previously inaccessible data through the use of new technology.”
“This mission paves the way for the expansion of human deep space exploration and presents new opportunities for scientific discoveries,” said NASA Johnson Space Center director Vanessa Wyche. 
Besides being the first manned lunar mission in over half a century, the crew’s diversity marks a new era of space exploration. The United States Apollo missions launched 24 people to the moon and of the half that actually stepped foot there, all of them were white men. 
Victor Glover will be the first black man to live on the International Space Station as part of a long-duration mission. 
“We know how big this moment is, and I personally feel it is so much bigger than me or my name being attached to it,” Glover said.
Furthemore, Jeremy Hanson, a mission specialist, sets his footprints in the historical record as the first Canadian and Canada Space Agency (CSA) agent to travel to the moon on a NASA mission. He will also set the record for the farthest distance traveled from Earth by a Canadian. 
“Canada’s participation in the Artemis program is not only a defining chapter of our history in space but also a testament to the friendship and close partnership between the two nations,” said François-Philippe Champagne, Canadian Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry. 
Christina Koch, another mission specialist, will be the first female astronaut to travel outside low-earth orbit. As well as participating in the world's first female-exclusive space walk, Koch has already set the record for the longest space flight completed by a woman.\Mission pilot 
“I am excited for this new era of space exploration,” said sophomore Cayla McKay. “These inclusive teams will allow young children of any gender and race to know they are capable of this innovation and research.”
Altogether, this mission marks a new era of inclusivity in space missions and innovation, along with the ability for men and women of all races to make American history.
“I think it is great that NASA is diversifying its crew members, allowing people with varied backgrounds and experiences to be part of this historic mission,” said sophomore Oren Goldman.
“This representation is vital to the progression of our nation regarding inclusivity in various careers,” said sophomore Noga Arieh. “We will see our country represented through diversity of all genders and races, and little kids can look up to these astronauts and understand the opportunities available to them, no matter their race or gender.”​