Nasa announces uncrewed flights around the Moon to begin in February 2022
The Orion capsule will be launched on the Space Launch System, paving the way for the resumption of people to walk on Earth’s satellite again
Nasa has announced plans to launch an uncrewed flight around the Moon in February 2022, paving the way for astronauts to once again set foot on Earth’s satellite.
The US space agency said on Friday that it was in the final phase of testing to send its Orion capsule on an orbit around the Moon on its Space Launch System rocket.
Nasa said the Artemis 1 mission will “pave the way for a future flight test with crew” before “more complex missions with astronauts on and around the Moon”.
The agency will be carrying out a series of tests until February, including of the interface and the communication systems, and a dress rehearsal several weeks before the launch.
“Artemis 1 will provide a foundation for human deep space exploration and demonstrate our commitment and capability to extend human existence to the Moon and beyond prior to the first flight with crew on Artemis 2,” it said.
