Liftoff: NASA launches first lunar mission in over 50 years
By Grace Bonamico
For the first time in more than 50 years, astronauts will be flying around the moon with the launch of Artemis II. The rocket launched from the Kennedy Space Center on April 1st at 6:35 pm, carrying a crew of three Americans and one Canadian. The mission will last 10 days, covering 695,000 miles and sending the crew around the moon and back, with one of the main goals being to test deep-space technology.
“Today’s launch marks a defining moment for our nation and for all who believe in exploration. Artemis II builds on the vision set by President Donald J. Trump, returning humanity to the Moon for the first time in more than 50 years and opening the next chapter of lunar exploration,” said NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman in a news release.
NASA streamed the launch on YouTube, with over 16 million people having seen the rocket take flight. “It was unreal watching the actual space launch happen. This mission is going around the moon and coming right back. It’s like not the same as landing on the moon, but it’s still a massive, like event in like recent history, I’m just like a big fan of like space exploration and like sci-fi and like this is just so cool to me,” said Mass Communications major Chris Foley.
The launch wasn’t all smooth, as the ship’s universal waste management system’s (the bathroom) fan became jammed. After a few hours with help from the ground crew, the astronauts fixed the toilet and got it fully functional.
While many are excited, some people, including Mass Communications student Kevin Phelan are a little skeptical. “I’m just glad that we’re finally exploring things that we already know a little bit about, rather than just seeing it and saying, okay, that’s all,” he said, adding. “I think that there are a lot of problems on Earth that need to be solved. And I think that we tend to think a lot about going to space too much.”
Along with the launch being streamed, NASA is also providing a continuous stream from the Orion Capsule.
*The screen may appear blue if a signal is lost or bandwidth is needed for mission activities.
In anticipation of the launch, NASA released the food available to the astronauts on board, including 189 unique menu items, more than 10 types of beverages, 5 different hot sauces, and a mix of condiments.
Beverages include coffee, lemonade, apple cider, and cocoa. Foods include barbecue beef brisket, Mac & cheese, spicy green beans, and mango salad. There are even sweets on board for the crew’s sweet tooth, such as pudding, cake, and cobbler.
NASA Associate Administrator Amit Kshatriya talked about how the crew “will put Orion through its paces so the crews who follow them can go to the Moon’s surface with confidence. We are one mission into a long campaign, and the work ahead of us is greater than the work behind us.”
The mission is expected to return to Earth on April 10th.
