Nebraska astronaut says Artemis mission is key to humans on Mars

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – Because the Crew-6 mission now gears up for Thursday’s launch, Nebraska astronaut Clayton Anderson tells 6 Information this mission will hopefully get us one step nearer to ultimately touchdown on Mars, however Anderson says it begins with going again to the moon.

“To me going again to the moon is the proper reply,” Anderson mentioned. “We all know all of us need to go to Mars. That’s the final vacation spot with people, however there’s a lot we now have to be taught and a lot we now have to develop. The expertise that’s required to try this, that I believe going to the moon is the proper reply.”

Heading again to Earth’s solely pure satellite tv for pc is one thing NASA and three worldwide associate companies are hoping to perform by way of the Artemis program — a program that intends to reestablish a human presence on the moon for the primary time because the Apollo 17 mission in 1972.

“I believe the truth that Artemis I used to be so profitable is a giant boon to NASA and the parents which might be placing that collectively,” Anderson mentioned. “We’ll have the ability to transfer forward on the milestones we want to have the ability to carry off Artemis II and if that goes properly, then we’ll prep for Artemis III.”

Artemis I efficiently positioned the Orion spacecraft into lunar orbit and returned to Earth in 2022. Artemis II is the deliberate first crewed take a look at flight to the moon and again, scheduled for launch in 2024; Artemis III is the deliberate first crewed lunar touchdown, deliberate for launch in 2025.

And though the timeline is probably not quick sufficient for these desirous to get to Mars, Anderson says there’s a motive these Artemis missions are so spaced out.

“To begin to plan, to begin to develop, to check and determine what works and what doesn’t work, earlier than we spend all that time and cash to try to ship people to Mars, so I believe we’re on the proper path,” Anderson mentioned. “I’d be vastly excited to be again within the astronaut core, competing for a shot to place my foot on the moon.”

Anderson says the “whole nation needs to be energized by the chance” that people are as soon as once more returning to the moon.

He says one other moon touchdown can also be crucial internationally, as scientists from throughout the globe are working to ultimately get individuals on Mars.

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