Artemis II

hank

Good Wikipedia summary of upcoming NASA Artemis II crewed lunar mission.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artemis_II

Originally slated to launch as early as Feb. 6. Now delayed because cold weather in Florida has caused crucial "wet test" to be delayed.
https://ktla.com/news/cold-weather-delays-nasas-artemis-ii-moon-mission/

The four astronauts will not land, but their craft will perform a figure 8 maneuver taking them behind the moon. There was damage to the heat shield on an unmanned test a couple years ago. This mission will try a different angle of attack entering the atmosphere to reduce or eliminate such damage. The goal is a lunar landing in 2028, but a delay seems likely. One hang-up appears to be getting the lunar lander ready for crewed flight by than. SpaceX is working on one per NASA's plans. Behind schedule. Blue Origin is also competing.

One cool aspect of this mission is that while passing behind the moon the 4 astronauts will be completely out of touch with earth for 40 minutes. Who wouldn't welcome that?

Old_Joe

Thanks for that, @hank. The whole thing had slipped of my radar.

Crash

Thanks, hank. I love anything about space exploration. Fascinates me.