NASA Concerned About Delays to Artemis 3 after Issues with SpaceX Starship
NASA Concerned About Delays to Artemis 3 after Issues with SpaceX Starship
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Rocket launch, Spacex, Lift-off image\ |
Concerns Raised during Joint Meeting
NASA has expressed concerns about potential delays to the Artemis 3 mission, which aims to send humans back to the Moon for the first time since 1972, due to issues with SpaceX's Starship rocket system.
Jim Free, NASA's associate administrator for exploration systems development, raised these concerns during a joint meeting of the US National Academies’ Aeronautics and Space Engineer Board and Space Studies Board on June 7th.
SpaceX's Role in the Artemis Program
In 2021, NASA selected SpaceX to develop the first commercial human lander for the Artemis program. The Artemis 3 mission is expected to be the first crewed mission to the lunar surface since the Apollo 17 mission.
The mission involves four astronauts who will embark on a multi-day journey to lunar orbit using the Orion spacecraft launched by the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket. While Orion and SLS have undergone testing in previous missions, Artemis 3 will mark the crewed test for these systems.
Challenges with the Starship Rocket System
After reaching lunar orbit, two crew members will transfer to a SpaceX human landing system (HLS) for the descent to the Moon's surface. They will spend approximately a week exploring the lunar surface before returning to orbit and reuniting with their colleagues in Orion for the journey back to Earth.
However, concerns have been raised regarding the readiness of SpaceX's Starship rocket system for the Artemis 3 mission. NASA is particularly worried about the number of Starship launches required to prepare for the mission. Each lander mission necessitates a launch of the Starship lander and multiple additional Starships to refuel the lander in Earth orbit before departing for the Moon.
In addition, SpaceX needs to demonstrate a cryogenic fluid transfer in Earth orbit and carry out an uncrewed Starship lunar landing on the Moon before Artemis 3 can proceed.
Significance of Starship's Development and Testing
The recent news of the Starship rocket's first integrated flight test has further highlighted the significance of its development and testing. The Starship system, consisting of the integrated Starship spacecraft and the Super Heavy rocket, is projected to become the most powerful launch system ever developed, capable of carrying payloads of up to 150 metric tonnes in fully-reusable mode and up to 250 metric tonnes in expendable mode.
Recent News on Starship Rocket
Recent news highlighted SpaceX's Starship rocket during its first integrated flight test. The Starship rocket system comprises the integrated Starship spacecraft and the Super Heavy rocket system. It has the potential to carry up to 150 metric tonnes in fully-reusable mode and up to 250 metric tonnes in "expendable mode." The Super Heavy rocket will be powered by 33 Raptor engines utilizing a mixture of cryogenic liquid methane and liquid oxygen, known as "methalox."
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Addressing Challenges for the Artemis Program
NASA's concerns about potential delays to the Artemis 3 mission emphasize the challenges involved in pushing the boundaries of space exploration. Both NASA and SpaceX will need to address these issues to ensure the successful realization of the Artemis program and humanity's return to the lunar surface.
NASA's concerns over potential delays to the Artemis 3 mission due to issues with SpaceX's Starship rocket system highlight the challenges in meeting the ambitious timeline. The successful completion of multiple Starship launches, cryogenic fluid transfer demonstrations, and lunar landings are crucial milestones that SpaceX needs to achieve to ensure the mission's success. Collaboration between NASA and SpaceX will be vital to address these concerns and maintain progress towards returning humans to the Moon.
Source:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artemis_3
