Why in the News
A report by NASA’s Inspector General warns that delays in SpaceX Starship could affect the timeline of the Artemis Program, which aims to land humans on the Moon before 2030.
Background: Artemis Moon Mission
- NASA is working with private companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin
- The Artemis programme aims to establish sustainable human missions to the Moon and eventually support missions to Mars.
- Originally, the Moon landing under Artemis III was targeted for 2024, but delays have pushed the timeline to around 2028 or later.
Why It Is Difficult
- Starship uses liquid methane and liquid oxygen as fuel. These must be stored at cryogenic temperatures below −150°C.
- The system must perform multiple docking and fuel transfers in Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
- LEO already has heavy satellite traffic, increasing operational risk.
| [2011] An artificial satellite orbiting around the Earth does not fall down. This is so because the attraction of Earth (a) does not exist at such a distance. (b) is neutralized by the attraction of the moon. (c) provides the necessary speed for its steady motion. (d) provides the necessary acceleration for its motion. |
