The Artemis project is our follow-up to the Apollo missions. In Greek mythology Artemis is the twin sister of Apollo. The goal is to not be a repeat of Apollo, but to achieve a sustainable long-term presence at the Moon. Artemis 1 launched November 16, 2022 and returned us to the Moon and was the first integrated test of NASA’s Deep Space Exploration System. The un-crewed mission used the Orion spacecraft and the Space Launch System rocket. The successful mission tested the heat shield and the operating system in flight before successfully splashing down to Earth on December 11, 2022.
Artemis 2 takes the program to the next level with a crewed mission to the Moon. The goal is for a safe return of the crew and evaluate the SLS and Orion system with a crew. The mission will test the safety and redundant systems. Artemis 1 laid the foundation for long term exploration of deep space; setting the stage for Artemis 2 to take 4 astronauts on a 10 day mission to the Moon and back to Earth. Artemis 2 is planned for 2026, and take a crew on 685,000 mile mission. Artemis 2 will also use a free turn trajectory harnessing the Earth-Moon gravity field.
Our General Meeting presenter was James “Joel” Knapper. During the presentation, we learned about updates to the mission, the Artemis Program’s new timeline, and about the astronauts chosen for the upcoming second mission. A dedicated and active NASA Solar System Ambassador for the past twelve years, James “Joel” Knapper has been hooked on NASA and space exploration since grade school. Joel earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in English Education from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. Joel is an officer of his local amateur astronomy group, the Kankakee Area Stargazers, where he presents monthly updates on NASA programs. He has presented more than one hundred NASA events in the Chicago area.
Astronomy Fundamentals: What We Can Learn from Impact Craters
Impact craters can be found throughout the solar system. NASA scientists use impact craters and volcanic activity to learn about the process throughout the solar system. By studying craters on Earth, scientists gain knowledge of volcanic landform formation and...
Exoplanet Atmospheres and the Search for Extraterrestrial Life
Exoplanets orbit distant stars many lightyears away. The name comes from extrasolarplanets, which are planets orbiting outside of oursolar system. To date, astronomers have found over5,600 exoplanets. The method resulting in the mostdiscoveries is the Transit Method....
March ’25 – Rick’s Picks
Transient Events That Can Give Us a Good Enough Reason to Get Outside and Do a Little ObservingAll month: the evening sky becomes less dramatic this month, as Saturn and Neptune spend the entire month hidden in the Sun’s glare, reaching solar conjunction on March 12...
Europa Clipper: NASA Investigates an Icy Ocean
Europa, one of Jupiter's four biggest moons, appears to harbor a liquid ocean not far beneath its bright, icy surface. Is there life there? NASA plans to fly the Europa Clipper spacecraft to orbit Jupiter and, making frequent flybys of Europa, will study the...