NASA’s Artemis I mission, which aims to return humans to the Moon and eventually to Mars, is entering the final phase of its journey as it prepares for its second lunar orbit in 2024. The mission, launched in November 2024, marks a critical step in humanity’s return to deep space exploration. NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, along with the Orion spacecraft, is currently on course to orbit the Moon before returning to Earth.
Stepping Closer to the Moon’s Surface
The Artemis I mission is part of NASA’s long-term Artemis program, which seeks to establish a sustainable human presence on the Moon by the 2030s. After its recent departure from Earth’s orbit, the Orion spacecraft is set to complete a series of tests in the coming weeks, including a full loop around the Moon. The spacecraft will travel more than 1.3 million miles, testing its systems for human-rated deep space travel.
The mission’s success is vital as it will set the stage for future crewed Artemis missions, including Artemis II, scheduled for 2025, where astronauts will orbit the Moon before landing on its surface in the years that follow. NASA’s goal is not only to return humans to the Moon but to establish a sustainable infrastructure that can support future missions to Mars and beyond.
In addition to its exploration goals, Artemis I is also carrying a suite of scientific experiments designed to gather new data on the Moon’s surface and environment. This mission represents a critical step toward unlocking new frontiers in space exploration, with global partners closely following its progress.
