Why in the News?
NASA’s Artemis II mission is scheduled for launch, marking the first human mission to the Moon’s vicinity since 1972 Apollo missions.
Artemis II Mission Overview
- Mission: Artemis II
- Agency: NASA
- Type: Crewed lunar flyby
- Duration: ~10 days
- Astronauts: 4 astronauts
- Launch Site: Kennedy Space Center, Florida
- Landing: Splashdown in ocean
Mission Path (Step by Step)
1. Launch from Earth
- Rocket: Space Launch System (SLS)
- Spacecraft: Orion Crew Capsule
- Launch from Kennedy Space Center
2. Earth Orbit
- Orion will make two orbits around Earth
- Systems check and trajectory adjustment
3. Journey to Moon
- Travel time: 3 to 4 days
- Similar to Apollo missions
- Why fast?
- SLS rocket is extremely powerful
- Shorter route requires more fuel but less time
4. Lunar Flyby
- Orion will circle the Moon
- Distance from far side of Moon: ~6,500 km
- Farthest humans have ever travelled in space
5. Return Journey
- Orion returns to Earth
- Travel time: 3 to 4 days
6. Re-entry and Splashdown
- Spacecraft re-enters Earth’s atmosphere
- Ocean splashdown landing
Why Some Missions Take Longer (Like Chandrayaan 3)
- Fuel-efficient route used by many missions
- Takes weeks to months
- Lower fuel requirement
- Artemis II uses: Shorter but fuel-intensive route and Faster travel
| [2016] Consider the following statements: 1 The Mangalyaan launched by ISRO is also called the Mars Orbiter Mission 2 made India the second country to have a spacecraft orbit the Mars after USA 3 made India the only country to be successful in making its spacecraft orbit the Mars in its very first attempt Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 |
