After delayed start Mission of Artemis I again, NASA published a list of possible start dates for the project. In total, the giant rocket will have 158 launch opportunities. Space launch system. The first window to send a mission is July 26 this year, but the space agency’s list even lists launches for 2023.

NASA knows who Orion is afraid of

One of the reasons for NASA present 158 ​​launch opportunities (for a period of 11 months) – prevent Orion spacecraft stay more than 90 minutes without sunlight. The agency clarifies that the entire trajectory of the day cannot survive this “long eclipse” in its solar power panels, which will result in a loss of electricity in Orion and as a result, its ideal operating temperature will decrease.

Katherine Hambleton, Representative NASA, also clarified that the publication date for 2023 is not an indication that the agency believes in a new delay. “All dates older than two months are provisional. […]we will have a target date after the missile tests are completed.” Some problems have been found in the SLS since its last trial was rescheduled. Bill Nelson, Administrator NASAthe highest position in the corps, says that the launch of Artemis I will be in August.

Artemis Program: Humanity Returns to the Moon

OUR Artemis Program there will be three missions. OUR Artemis 1unmanned, will serve as a test for SLS rocket and Orion spacecraftas well as testing other technologies in NASA for manned flights to lunar orbit. In May 2024 (if all goes according to plan) it will be the turn Artemis 2 to put humans into orbit around the Moon and beyond low orbit for the first time since the last Apollo mission in 1972. OUR Artemis 3 should happen in 2025 and finally land with people on Moon53 years since the last visit to the natural satellite.

…..

Source: Ars Technika