Is this a new chapter in history? This week, people worldwide watched in wonder as the mega-moon rocket achieved lift off at last. But is this an exciting new age, or just an old story revisited?
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Nasa launches next giant leap for humankind
Is this a new chapter in history? This week, people worldwide watched in wonder as the mega-moon rocket achieved lift off at last. But is this an exciting new age, or just an old story revisited?
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The crowds at the Kennedy Space Centre watched the sky anxiously. Some had camped overnight to get the best possible view of Artemis IArtemis I is the first in a series of increasingly complex missions that will enable human exploration to the Moon and Mars. being launched by its huge SLSShort for "Space Launch System". rocket. Taller than Big Ben1, and capable of generating 3,924 tons of thrust2, the rocket was billed as "bigger, louder and more impressive than any you've seen before".
In the end, though, a problem with one of the engines sent the crowds home disappointed. But this time all went well.
The mission's aim is to send an unmanned test capsule called OrionIn Greek mythology, he was a giant huntsman. to orbit the Moon and come back. If all goes well, Artemis II will make the same journey next year with four astronauts.
Orion consists of two parts: the capsule, where the astronauts sit, and the service module, which contains its guidance computers and the thrusters to manoeuvre it.
The biggest question is whether Orion's will stand up to the intense heat of re-entry into Earth's atmosphere. Travelling at 32 times the speed of sound3, its heat shield will encounter temperatures of 2,200C.
The Artemis programme aims to take humans to the Moon for the first time since 19724 - and then take them to Mars.
The plan includes building a space station orbiting the Moon, called Gateway, which Orion will dock with. The astronauts will transfer to another craft for the final descent to the Moon.
At the end of their time there, the landing craft will return them to Gateway, and they will travel back to Earth on Orion.
By 2030 there should also be the first ever Moon base, where astronauts can stay for a week or more.
Nasa is particularly keen to put a woman on the Moon, and someone from an ethnic minority, to show that space exploration is open to all. It is also hoped that the first Europeans will walk on the Moon.
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<h5 class=" eplus-wrapper" id="question">Is this a new chapter in history? </h5>
Yes: To build a space station orbiting the Moon, and a base on its surface, would be a huge step forward in space exploration. And even more importantly, it would pave the way for the colonisation of Mars.
No: The Apollo programme was ended because there seemed little to be gained from exploring the Moon further. There is no reason to think that the Artemis programme will produce anything more.
Or... This may be a new chapter for Nasa, but the real running in the space race is being made by private companies. Elon Musk's SpaceX is much more likely to succeed in setting up a Mars colony.
Artemis I - Artemis I is the first in a series of increasingly complex missions that will enable human exploration to the Moon and Mars.
SLS - Short for "Space Launch System".
Orion - In Greek mythology, he was a giant huntsman.
Nasa launches next giant leap for humankind
Two hurricanes and two months later: Nasa's most powerful rocket is finally off to the Moon. Glossary
Artemis I - Artemis I is the first in a series of increasingly complex missions that will enable human exploration to the Moon and Mars.
SLS - Short for "Space Launch System".
Orion - In Greek mythology, he was a giant huntsman.