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Artemis program

Adapted from Wikipedia · Explorer experience

An artist's rendering of the Orion spacecraft flying in space, connected to a lunar lander, representing future space exploration missions.

The Artemis Program

The Artemis program is an exciting plan by NASA to send people back to the Moon. This will be the first time humans return to the Moon since the Apollo program. The goal is to build a permanent base on the Moon and prepare for future trips to Mars.

This program began in 2017 because of a special order from the President of the United States. It is named after Artemis, the goddess of the Moon in ancient stories. Many countries work together through something called the Artemis Accords.

So far, the Artemis program has completed two missions. In 2022, Artemis I sent a spacecraft called Orion around the Moon without any people. In 2026, Artemis II will carry four astronauts around the Moon. This will be the first time people travel beyond low Earth orbit since the Apollo missions. Future missions, like Artemis III and Artemis IV, will land astronauts on the Moon and help build a base there.

The Artemis program uses many parts from earlier space projects, like the Space Shuttle, and also includes new systems made by private companies. Each mission is more complex than the last, and they happen about once a year. The main rocket used is called SLS, and the spacecraft is named Orion.

People around the world are excited about this program because it will help us learn more about living and working on the Moon. It is a big step toward exploring deeper space and maybe even living on other planets someday.

Images

Official portrait of the Artemis II astronaut crew: Christina Koch, Victor Glover, Jeremy Hansen, and Reid Wiseman.
NASA's Orion spacecraft being retrieved by the U.S. Navy after its test flight in 2014.
NASA's Orion spacecraft splashes down in the Pacific Ocean after its mission to the Moon, showing the recovery process by NASA and partners.
Engineers install the engine nozzle of the European Service Module for NASA's Artemis III mission at Kennedy Space Center.
Models of lunar landers displayed at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, representing the first commercial Moon landing services for the Artemis program.
Four astronauts prepare for launch aboard NASA’s Orion spacecraft on the Artemis II mission, heading to the Moon from Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
The Artemis I Orion spacecraft being prepared for important tests at NASA's research center.
An artist's rendering of the Lunar Gateway, a future space station that will orbit the Moon to support lunar missions.
Diagram of the Gateway lunar space station and its international partners, showing how this important piece of space infrastructure will support future moon missions.
An artist's drawing showing an astronaut in a spacesuit on a moonwalk during an Artemis mission.
A concept drawing of NASA's Lunar Terrain Vehicle designed for future moon missions.
An artist's concept of a future lunar base camp for NASA's Artemis program, showing scientists exploring the Moon.
A NASA concept design for a foundation surface habitat, showcasing future space exploration technology.
Official logo of NASA's Exploration Ground Systems, representing the team that prepares spacecraft for launch.

Related articles

Artemis
NASA
Moon
Apollo program
President of the United States
Artemis I

This article is a child-friendly adaptation of the Wikipedia article on Artemis program, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

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