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NASA announced new systems for Artemis 3, which will test multiple spacecraft rendezvous and docking systems in low-Earth orbit in 2027, paving the way for an Artemis 4 manned lunar landing in 2028.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)NASA ) announced the latest arrangements for the “Artemis III” mission on the 23rd. According to the plan, the mission will deploy 4 people in 2027Astronaut Sent into low-Earth orbit, it has successively cooperated with the American company Blue Origin and Space Exploration Technology Company.spacex ) developed a Lunar Landing System Test Vehicle to conduct rendezvous and docking tests in preparation for the subsequent “Artemis IV” manned lunar landing mission.
According to reports, the “Artemis 3” mission is planned to last 14 days and will use three different launch vehicles to launch the “Blue Moon Mark 2” lunar lander test version, the “Orion” manned spacecraft and the “Starship” test vehicle developed by Blue Origin into space. The mission aims to verify the ability of different spacecraft to work together in orbit, practice key procedures such as rendezvous, docking and cabin operations, and reduce the risks of future manned lunar landings.
According to the plan, the test version of the “Blue Moon Mark 2” lander will be launched first, enter low-Earth orbit and conduct observations on orbit. After confirming that it is in good condition and meets the conditions of joint operation, NASA will use the new generation moon landing rocket “Space Launch System” (SLS) to launch the “Orion” spacecraft carrying four astronauts within a few days. After entering orbit, the spacecraft will adjust its orbit and dock with the waiting “blue moon.” The astronauts plan to enter “Blue Moon Mark 2” and stay for about two days to evaluate the cabin environment, control instruments and life support systems. The mission team will verify the ability of the lander to maintain suitable atmospheric environment and pressure.
After completing the relevant tests, “Orion” will separate from the spacecraft “Blue Moon Mark 2”. SpaceX plans to launch the Starship V3 test vehicle from Florida, and then Orion will rendezvous and dock with it. The test will take about 2 hours and astronauts will not enter the starship. This phase primarily confirms the spacecraft’s cooperative operation capabilities after docking, and evaluates the aircraft’s controllability, communications capabilities, software cooperation, and docking and separation operations.
NASA said that during the mission, it will also test the astronauts’ spacesuits, docking sensors and other equipment, evaluate the spacecraft’s thermal environment, perform astronaut health assessments, cell biology experiments and Earth and solar observations. It will also test plans related to returning lunar samples to Earth. After the mission ends, the Orion spacecraft will return the astronauts to Earth and splash down in the water near California.
In February this year, NASA announced adjustments to the structure of the “Artemis” lunar landing program, changing the “Artemis 3” mission to low-Earth orbit system and operational capability testing, and adjusting the first manned lunar landing mission originally scheduled for 2027 to “Artemis 4” and postponing its implementation to 2028.
Summary FAQ
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NASA converted Artemis 3 into a low-Earth orbit test mission. The focus is no longer on landing directly on the Moon, but on verifying the rendezvous, docking, and cooperative operation capabilities of various spacecraft to reduce the risks of subsequent manned Moon landings.
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The mission will test Blue Origin’s Blue Moon Mark 2, NASA’s Orion spacecraft and SpaceX’s Starship V3 and investigate objects such as spacesuits, docking sensors, life support systems and the thermal environment.
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NASA adjusted the structure of the Artemis program in February this year, changing the first manned lunar landing originally planned for 2027 to Artemis 4, and postponing the implementation to 2028.
