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TAMPA, Fla (WFLA) — NASA is gearing up for a groundbreaking mission that will see astronauts return to the moon’s orbit for the first time in over 50 years.
Distinct from the legendary Apollo missions, Artemis II will not involve a lunar landing. Instead, four astronauts will orbit the moon, providing NASA with an opportunity to test crucial navigation, procedures, systems, and technologies essential for future lunar expeditions.
At their base on Merritt Island, astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen are in the final stages of preparation for this momentous journey.
“Things are certainly starting to feel real here at the Cape,” remarked Koch.
The last time NASA ventured to the moon was with Apollo 17, which launched in December 1972.
Nearly 54 years later, the four astronauts are set to continue that legacy.
Shawn Quinn, NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems manager, said the team is ready for the challenges ahead.
“At this point, we can safely say the crew is ready, the rockets ready, spaceships ready, ground systems are ready, and we only need to have the weather cooperate on Thursday, and we’re ready to go,” Quinn said.
Jeremy Hansen said the mission will offer a unique view of the moon’s surface.
“Specifically, the different colors or just different shades, variations in the albedo of the moon, they’re very interesting, we look at it from different angles and different lighting,” Hansen said.
But Hansen said the journey will also carry a human and cultural element.
“Listening to other people’s perspectives on the moon and how different cultures look at the moon and when we go back honoring just how humanity we all share this same moon in the in the sky, but honoring humans around the world and how they revere the moon that’s really important to us,” he said.
The crew says the mission’s ultimate goal is to make future Artemis missions smoother for astronauts who will walk on the lunar surface.
“Our motto from day one has been Help Artemis three, succeed,” said Wiseman.
“Even though this mission is not going to the surface, we are starting some of the processes that we think are going to help them be successful physically, emotionally and mentally in getting ready for service work,” Glover said.
NASA has set a target for liftoff on Wednesday. The four astronauts are scheduled to launch no earlier than 6:24 p.m. EDT, weather permitting.