Incredible Facts About NASA’s Artemis

Incredible Facts About NASA’s Artemis Missions

by Dani Meyering, editor of @orlandoparenting

To the moon, Mars and beyond! The historic launch of the Artemis program will eventually put humans back on the moon, and even on Mars. If you’re not hyped about it just yet, read on. We’ve got fun facts and insider information you can share with your family.

LEGO CITY Space in LEGOLAND Florida's Imagination Zone

Five Reasons You Should Be Excited About the Artemis Program

1. It features the most powerful rocket ever built.

2. The Orion space capsule can carry six astronauts. 3. It will bring us the first lunar landing in over 50 years (slated to happen as early as 2025). 4. It will enable the space program to spend more time on the moon.

5. This program will take humankind the furthest it has ever traveled in space, with Mars being the next goal.

Fun Facts about Orion and the SLS

• The spacecraft that astronauts will ride for their trips to the moon is called Orion.

• Orion will be launched into space using the Space Launch System (SLS). • Orion space capsule can carry six astronauts beyond LEO or Low Earth Orbit.

• Orion can last up to six months docked and 21 days undocked. • The SLS is taller than the Statue of Liberty. • Its thrust is as powerful as 160,000 race car engines. • Orion will reach 25,000 mph thanks to SLS – that’s 50 times faster than an airplane.

photo by Laura Byrne

Ways to celebrate the MOON in Tampa Bay:

Build Your Own Rocket at LEGOLAND Florida: LEGO and NASA teamed up to create a new indoor build exhibit at the Florida theme park called LEGO CITY Space! Kids can build a rocket and even build a rover and test it on a moon track. You’ll find it inside the Imagination Zone.

Play in the Moonbase exhibit at MOSI: As you step inside the Moonbase exhibit, you’ll feel as if you’re really on the moon. You can explore the base, drive a rover and more! This is a permanent exhibit on display year-round. THE ARTEMIS LOGO IS FULL OF SYMBOLISM

FUN FACT

Moonbase at MOSI

The original lunar program that got us to the moon 50 years ago was called the Apollo Missions. Now, the Artemis Program pays homage as Artemis is Apollo’s sister in mythology.

photo by Laura Byrne

A QUICK GLOSSARY:

Artemis Program: The overall collective efforts of the individual missions and technology used for our return to the moon and expedition to Mars. Orion spacecraft: The actual vehicle astronauts will ride in and use to land on the moon, with the ability to stay longer. Space Launch System (SLS): The most powerful rocket ever created. It will carry the Orion spacecraft, and resembles the Saturn V (from the Apollo era) and the Space Shuttles. The term “launch system” is used because there is more to it than the modern rockets we’ve come to know in recent years. The tip of the "A" extends beyond the moon, signifying that NASA's lunar efforts are not an end, but rather the preparation for what lies beyond. The crescent Earth at the bottom of the logo depicts missions from humanity's perspective. This crescent also illustrates Artemis' bow as the source from which all energy and effort is sent. The trajectory is drawn from left to right through the crossbar of the 'A' opposite that of the Apollo program logo, highlighting the distinct differences in NASA's return to the moon.

Further, the trajectory is red to symbolize the path to Mars.

Finally, the moon is included as NASA's next destination and a stepping stone for Mars.