NASA Set to Unveil Artemis 3 Crew
NASA is preparing to introduce the world to the four astronauts who will fly the Artemis 3 mission, a pivotal step in the agency's return to the Moon. The announcement is scheduled for Tuesday morning at NASA's Johnson Space Center, with the event beginning at 10:30 a.m. CDT (11:30 a.m. EDT / 15:30 UTC). According to a social media post by NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, in addition to naming the crew and backup crew members, the agency will also provide a confidence update on the mission. Spaceflight Now will be live-streaming the event on its 24/7 stream on YouTube, Launch Pad Live.
Artemis 3: A Unique Low Earth Orbit Mission
Artemis 3 is currently the only mission in the Artemis program designed to exist entirely in low Earth orbit. The mission plan involves the Orion spacecraft rendezvousing and docking with one or both of the Human Landing System (HLS) landers: Blue Origin's Blue Moon Mark 2 and SpaceX's Starship. Based on data gathered and development progress for each lander, one will be selected to fly the first lunar landing mission for the Artemis program, which is Artemis 4. NASA hopes to fly that mission as soon as early 2028.
Uncertainties and Key Details
Many details about Artemis 3 remain unknown to the public. These include the planned duration of the overall mission, the duration that Orion will be docked with each lander, and whether some or all crew members will be able to cross from Orion into the HLS landers. Both Blue Origin and SpaceX have been tight-lipped about specifics regarding their HLS landers as they compete to perform the first U.S.-led crewed landing since 1972.
Propellant Transfer: A Critical Hurdle
Artemis 3 is likely not to demonstrate one of the technically challenging hurdles for the landers: propellant transfer. Both architectures will rely on propellant transfer to support landing missions on the Moon. The companies have not revealed exactly how many launches will be needed to fuel their landers for the trip to the Moon. Neither SpaceX nor Blue Origin have publicly shown a flight version of the HLS edition of Starship or Blue Moon Mk.2.
Background and Delays
The identity of the four crew members is not known publicly but will be unveiled in a fashion similar to the crew naming for the Artemis 2 mission in April 2023. A number of issues, including the need for further analysis on the Orion heat shield, ultimately delayed Artemis 2 from fall 2024 to launching on April 1, 2026. NASA has not said if either company will have a representative to speak on behalf of their lander programs during the announcement.
Looking Ahead
Tuesday's announcements come as many questions about the details of the mission remain unanswered. The event is expected to shed light on the crew selection and provide a clearer picture of the mission's readiness and timeline. As the world watches, NASA aims to build momentum toward returning humans to the lunar surface, with Artemis 3 serving as a critical stepping stone.
This article is based on reporting by Spaceflight Now. Read the original article.
Originally published on spaceflightnow.com
