Context:
NASA’s Artemis II mission, scheduled for February 2026, will send a four-person crew around the Moon, marking the first crewed lunar mission since 1972.
Key Highlights
Mission Overview
- Artemis II is the first crewed mission under NASA’s Artemis programme.
- The mission will last approximately 10 days.
- Its primary objective is to test spacecraft systems required for future lunar landings.
Crew Composition
- The four astronauts on Artemis II are:
- Reid Wiseman
- Victor Glover
- Christina Koch
- Jeremy Hansen (Canadian Space Agency)
Mission Trajectory
- The spacecraft will follow a hybrid free-return trajectory.
- It will orbit Earth twice before travelling around the far side of the Moon, reaching about 10,300 km beyond the lunar surface.
Technological Systems Being Tested
- Space Launch System (SLS) rocket
- Orion spacecraft
- Life support systems
- Navigation and communication systems
Future Missions
- Successful completion of Artemis II will enable Artemis III, which aims to land astronauts on the lunar South Pole.
Relevant Prelims Points
- Artemis Program
- NASA-led international program to return humans to the Moon and establish a sustainable lunar presence.
- Space Launch System (SLS)
- A super heavy-lift rocket developed by NASA to launch Artemis missions.
- Orion Spacecraft
- Crew capsule designed for deep space missions to the Moon and beyond.
- Kennedy Space Centre
- NASA’s primary launch site in Florida, USA, including Launch Pad 39B.
Relevant Mains Points
Renewed Global Interest in Lunar Exploration
- The Moon has regained strategic importance due to:
- Scientific research opportunities
- Potential resource extraction (e.g., Helium-3, water ice)
- Geopolitical competition in space
International Cooperation in Space
- Artemis includes partnerships with multiple space agencies, including Canada, ESA, and others.
- Collaboration may promote peaceful space exploration and technology sharing.
Implications for India
- India’s lunar missions (Chandrayaan series) position the country as a significant space power.
- International lunar exploration may encourage greater collaboration between ISRO and global space agencies.
Way Forward
- Strengthen international cooperation in space exploration.
- Develop sustainable lunar exploration frameworks.
- Ensure peaceful and responsible use of outer space resources.
UPSC Relevance:
- Prelims: Artemis mission, SLS rocket, Orion spacecraft.
- Mains (GS III – Science & Technology): Global space exploration trends and strategic implications.