#triviatuesday - What is the name of the next Moon mission and why was it chosen?
This summer marks the 50th anniversary of humans’ first steps upon the Moon, the goal of America’s Space program known as “Project Apollo.” On July 20, 1969, Astronaut Neil Armstrong of Ohio became the first person ever to step foot upon the lunar surface, followed by Astronaut Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin. Command Module Pilot Michael Collins remained aboard the space ship “Columbia” during the walk.
Recently NASA announced plans to “return astronauts to the lunar surface by 2024, including the first woman and the next man...” Its ultimate goal? “Sending humans to Mars.” *
Therefore, today’s TriviaTuesday question asks:
What is the name of the next Moon mission and why was it chosen?
With another nod to the ancient Greeks, the next Moon mission has been named “Artemis.”*
According to NASA, “Artemis was the twin sister of Apollo and goddess of the Moon in Greek mythology. Now, she personifies our path to the Moon as the name of NASA's program to return astronauts to the lunar surface by 2024...When they land, our American astronauts will step foot where no human has ever been before: the Moon’s South Pole...”*
“With our goal of sending humans to Mars, Artemis is the first step to begin this next era of exploration...” *
Source:
For information about “Artemis” and the future of America’s Space program” go to:
*https://www.nasa.gov/feature/what-is-artemis/
For more information about the Apollo 11 astronauts go to:
https://www.nasa.gov/astronauts/biographies/former
Images:
Panoramic Moon shot : https://www.flickr.com/search/?text=apollo%2011%20panorama
also accessible via nasa.gov > Galleries
Portrait of Apollo 11 astronauts: https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/ksc-71pc-178.jpg
Statue of Greek goddess Artemis, the twin sister of Apollo, from Google Images.