NASA’s Artemis campaign aims to return humans to the moon with the help of rocket engines produced in Washington state. The first three missions use 32 engine units made at the L3Harris facility in Redmond, crucial for safe orbital maneuvers and crew module re-entry.
According to Kathryn Luczek, L3Harris Orion Deputy Program Manager, reliable engines are essential for successful Artemis missions. “If we didn’t make these engines, there wouldn’t be an orbital maneuvering system or a way for the crew module to safely return to Earth.”
NASA astronauts emphasize the importance of exploring the moon beyond its equatorial regions. Woody Hoburg notes, “Imagine visiting Earth but only going to the equator – there’s much more to see on the moon.” The next mission, planned for April 2024 or later, will take humans around the moon for the first time since 1972.
Howard Hu highlights the challenges of space travel, including radiation and limited resources. “We need redundant systems and consumables to make it through multiple days away from Earth.”
The third Artemis mission aims to land astronauts on the lunar surface, bringing NASA closer to its long-term goals. With scientific discoveries waiting to be made, NASA is setting up moon bases to further its ambitions.
Source: https://komonews.com/news/local/washington-made-rockets-taking-nasa-to-the-moon-for-the-first-time-in-half-a-century-redmond-travel-mars-colonization-base-international-space-neil-armstrong-eclipse-travel-industry-wxploration