NASA may return to the moon at the end of August: As the US space agency announced on Wednesday, the Artemis program could start a first unmanned test flight around the moon as early as August 29. This is the first launch window for the SLS moon rocket and an Orion space capsule, NASA Vice Director Jim Free told journalists. Other possible dates are September 2nd and September 5th.
NASA wants to use the giant SLS rockets and the Orion space capsule to bring astronauts back to the moon for the first time since 1972. In the Artemis-1 mission, the SLS rocket will initially orbit the moon without a crew in a four to six-week mission and then return to Earth.
Initially, NASA had already considered a launch in May. But the dress rehearsal for the launch failed, and the huge rocket had to survive another dress rehearsal in June. According to Nasa, defective seals were then replaced.
Astronauts are scheduled to orbit the moon in 2024 with the Artemis-2 mission. In 2025, Artemis-3 should actually land on the moon with astronauts, including a woman for the first time.
