Welcome to this week's NASA update. We're starting with the most significant headline: NASA is advancing its plans for sustained lunar exploration with the Artemis program. The agency has announced plans for at least two major cargo delivery missions using Artemis Cargo Landers to transport large pieces of equipment and infrastructure to the Moon's surface[1].
These missions will leverage the capabilities of industry partners Blue Origin and SpaceX, who are developing cargo versions of their crewed human landing systems. SpaceX's Starship cargo lander is expected to deliver a pressurized rover developed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) no earlier than fiscal year 2032, while Blue Origin's cargo lander will deliver a lunar surface habitat no earlier than fiscal year 2033.
Stephen D. Creech, assistant deputy associate administrator for technical, moon to Mars Programme Office, emphasizes the collaborative nature of the Artemis campaign. "Having two lunar lander providers with different approaches for crew and cargo landing capability provides mission flexibility while ensuring a regular cadence of Moon landings for continued discovery and scientific opportunity," he notes.
This development not only marks a significant step towards establishing a sustained presence on the Moon but also lays the groundwork for future exploration and human missions to Mars. The Artemis program is a cornerstone of NASA's Human Landing System Programme, aiming to explore more of the Moon than ever before.
In other news, NASA has selected Southwest Research Institute of San Antonio to build three coronagraphs for the Lagrange 1 Series project, part of NOAA's Space Weather Next program. This project will help improve our understanding of space weather and its impacts on Earth.
Additionally, researchers have made significant advancements in bioprinting technology, demonstrating the function of a handheld bioprinter that could provide a simple and effective way to treat wounds in space using human skin cells. This technology could be crucial for future long-duration space missions.
Looking ahead, NASA's Johnson Space Center is seeking proposals for the use of its historic Vibration and Acoustic Test Facility, offering a unique opportunity for private sector collaboration.
For more information on these developments and to stay updated on NASA's latest news, visit nasa.gov. And if you're interested in learning more about the Artemis program and its impacts on space exploration, tune in to our next episode where we'll delve deeper into the details.
That's all for this week. Thank you for joining us on this journey through NASA's latest news and developments. Until next time, keep looking up.
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Nov 22 20243 mins