The Sounds of Silence

Humankind is returning to the moon, and it’s departing on 29 August 2022—its ship is, anyway.

The dearth of public knowledge of and enthusiasm for NASA’s Artemis lunar mission—a multi-flight, multinational enterprise that seeks ultimately to establish a sustainable human presence on Earth’s moon—is unfortunate, frankly; as is the degree to which the space agency has politicized the endeavor, stating openly: “With Artemis missions, NASA will land the first woman and first person of color on the Moon.”

The immense popularity and magnificent mythos of the Apollo program derive largely of the manner in which the undertaking unified humanity—proclaiming aloud from the surface of the moon: “… one giant leap for mankind.” That Artemis sets out to tribalize what Apollo united is reflected in general ennui, indifference, and a vox populi inclined more to grumbling about rising inflation than cheering the ascent of moon-rockets.

Indeed, not a single contestant on an early 2022 Jeopardy! episode had any knowledge of Artemis; and during a 03 August 2022 NASA media briefing, a reporter from Ohio—home state to Neil Armstrong, John Glenn, Jim Lovell, and 21 additional astronauts—claimed only two of his thirty newsroom coworkers knew the United States was returning to the moon. NASA administrator Bill Nelson was reportedly taken aback by the claim.

Nevertheless, NASA’s SLS rocket—a United States super heavy-lift expendable launch vehicle—is slated to make its inaugural launch in just three weeks, thereby kicking off the Artemis era and heralding the metastasis of identity politics from the Earth to the moon. The 322-foot Space Launch System (SLS) is a bit shorter than the Saturn V’s stately 363-foot stature, a good deal taller than the 184-foot Space Shuttle booster configuration, and more powerful than both its predecessors by 13% and 15% respectively. The smattering of citizens planning to be on hand for the 08:33 EDT launch from Pad 39-B at Kennedy Space Center are apt to be dazzled.

Once underway, the unmanned, Lockheed-Martin-designed, Airbus-built Orion capsule will make its way to the moon, establish itself in lunar orbit, and circle the moon for approximately six-days before boosting back toward Earth—the entire trip is expected to span 42-days.

Upon its return, the Orion capsule will separate from its service module, re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere for aerobraking, and splash down under parachutes.

To date, six Artemis missions are planned. Artemis II will conduct a four-person lunar flyby. Artemis III will see four-person lunar orbit with a two-person lunar landing. Artemis IV proposes to deliver a human habitat module to the lunar surface.

Subsequent missions will deliver a lunar terrain vehicle, a refueling module, and an airlock module.

An additional five Artemis missions have been proposed, but remain theoretical and unfunded.

FMI: www.nasa.gov