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After technical jams and delays caused by two different hurricanes, NASA’s Artemis 1 mission to the Moon successfully launched at 10:47 p.m. PST on Tuesday. Planning for the mission, which aims to deepen scientists’ understanding of the impacts of extended deep space travel for humans, began in 2010. An all-new type of launch vehicle, known as the Space Launch System, was in the foreground of takeoff. Also on top was the new Orion space capsule, designed to eventually return astronauts to the moon and beyond. While Artemis 1 is an unmanned mission, scientists will use the nearly month-long journey to lunar orbit and back as an opportunity to gather data on deep space travel and everyday conditions on the surface of the moon. NASA chief exploration scientist Jacob Bleacher said this makes Artemis 1 a gateway to new destinations. Tier. “We learned to live in space with the International Space Station. And now we have to learn to go live in deep space.” The SLS rocket is the most powerful the United States has ever built, and it took an awful lot of collaborative time to bring it to the dash. NASA refers to the SLS as “America’s Rocket,” a nod to the fact that companies from all 50 states helped build it in one way or another. California had many contributors, including Sacramento-based Aerojet Rocketdyne, which builds propulsion systems for air and space travel. Doug Bradley is deputy director of the RS-25 engine program at Aerojet Rocketdyne. Bradley says the RS-25 engines, which have also been used in the Space Shuttle programs, were just the first of many Aerojet Rocketdyne engines to appear Tuesday night. “Up and down the rocket, we have a role,” Bradley said. This includes four RS-25 engines, which propelled the SLS rocket for exactly eight minutes once the boosters were released. During this period, a powerful jettison engine ejected into the rocket’s abort system. “These were designed and made in Sacramento, so it’s pretty cool heirloom there,” Bradley said. the Orion space capsule, heading for the moon guided by Aerojet Rocketdyne RL-10 engines. According to NASA, Orion is expected to reach its lunar orbital position on Tuesday, November 22. Orion will orbit the moon for several weeks, collecting important data from its orbit. a landing in the ocean In December, the Aerojet Rocketdyne engines will again be presented. “Our company even has the little helium tanks that blow up the little floats on the capsule to keep it upright,” Bradley said with a chuckle. When he said they have a “top-down” role, he meant it. Bradley says that while he’s not from Sacramento himself, he’s honored to represent the area on such a big stage. “I’m proud…everyone is proud of our role in Artemis,” he said. Plans for the Artemis 2 mission, which will involve astronauts, are well advanced with a launch tentatively scheduled for 2024.
After technical jams and delays caused by two different hurricanes, NASA’s Artemis 1 mission to the Moon successfully launched at 10:47 p.m. PST on Tuesday.
Planning for the mission, which aims to deepen scientists’ understanding of the impacts of extended deep space travel for humans, began in 2010.
A brand new type of launch vehicle, known as the Space Launch System, was at the forefront of liftoff. Also on top was the new Orion space capsule, designed to eventually return astronauts to the moon and beyond.
While Artemis 1 is an unmanned mission, scientists will use the nearly month-long journey to lunar orbit and back as an opportunity to gather data on deep space travel and everyday conditions on the surface of the moon.
NASA chief exploration scientist Jacob Bleacher said this makes Artemis 1 a gateway to new destinations.
“Artemis is really turning the page on a new chapter in space exploration. We’re basically writing the blueprint now for how we explore the solar system,” Bleacher said. “We learned to live in space with the International Space Station. And now we have to learn to go live in deep space.”
The SLS rocket is the most powerful the United States has ever built and it took immense collaboration to get it to the launch pad. NASA calls the SLS “America’s Rocket,” a nod to the fact that companies from all 50 states helped build it in one way or another.
California had many contributors, including Sacramento-based Aerojet Rocketdyne, which builds propulsion systems for air and space travel.
Doug Bradley is the assistant program manager for the RS-25 engine at Aerojet Rocketdyne. Bradley says the RS-25 engines, which have also been used in the Space Shuttle programs, were just the first of many Aerojet Rocketdyne engines to appear Tuesday night.
“Up and down the rocket, we have a role,” Bradley said.
This includes four RS-25 engines, which propelled the SLS rocket for exactly eight minutes once the thrusters fired. In that time, a powerful jettison engine ejected towards the rocket’s abort system.
“These were designed and made in Sacramento, so it’s pretty cool heirloom there,” Bradley said.
On Wednesday night, all that’s left for the mission to follow is the Orion space capsule, which is heading for the moon guided by Aerojet Rocketdyne’s RL-10 engines. According to NASA, Orion is expected to reach its lunar orbital position on Tuesday, November 22.
Orion will orbit the moon for several weeks, collecting important data from its orbit.
When it comes time for re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere and an ocean landing in December, Aerojet Rocketdyne engines will once again be featured.
“Our company even has the little helium tanks that blow up the little floats on the capsule to keep it upright,” Bradley said with a chuckle.
When he said they have a “top-down” role, he meant it.
Bradley says that while he’s not from Sacramento himself, he’s honored to represent the area on such a big stage.
“I’m proud…everyone is proud of our role in Artemis,” he said.
Plans for the Artemis 2 mission, which will involve astronauts, are well advanced with a launch tentatively scheduled for 2024.