After all the technical delays and the wait, NASA is finally moving forward with the launch of its first integrated flight test, the Artemis-1. This was one of the space agency’s most anticipated missions. On November 30, 2020, NASA was reported to have found a component malfunction in one of the spacecraft’s power data units.
The dates are out and NASA is thrilled to successfully complete a long awaited launch. After much pushing back data, the Artemis-1 mission will roll out on the launch pad on March 17. It is currently housed in the Vehicle Assembly Building and will be rolled out to Launch Complex 39B, a four-mile journey. The Artemis-1 will fly to the moon along with the Orion spacecraft in an unmanned mission before humans embark on a journey to the lunar surface. The mission would also carry 10 satellites along with the Orion.
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Artemis 1
Artemis 1, formerly known as Exploration Mission-1, is the first in a series of increasingly complex missions that will enable human exploration to the Moon and Mars. is a planned unmanned test flight for NASA’s Artemis program. It is the maiden flight of the agency’s Space Launch System (SLS) super-heavy launch vehicle and the maiden flight of the Orion MPCV.
The launch will take place at Launch Complex 39B (LC-39B) at the Kennedy Space Center, where an Orion spacecraft will be sent on a 25.5-day mission, including 6 days in retrograde orbit around the moon. The mission will certify the Orion spacecraft and Space Launch System launch vehicle for manned flight, beginning with the second flight test of the Orion and Space Launch System, Artemis 2.