NASA’s Artemis base camp concept

Illustration of NASA astronauts on the lunar south pole. Credit: NASA

NASAThe Artemis program has sparked worldwide enthusiasm and catalyzed a new interest in moon exploration as the agency prepares to land the first woman and next man on the lunar South Pole in 2024. Subsequently, NASA and its growing list of global partners will have it establish sustainable exploration by the end of the decade.

NASA will build on the momentum of that human return mission in four years and plans to send the crew to the moon about once a year thereafter. To give astronauts a place to live and work on the moon, the agency’s Artemis base camp concept includes a modern moon cabin, rover and even a mobile home. The first missions will include short stays on the surface, but as base camp evolves the goal is to allow the crew to stay on the lunar surface for up to two months at a time.

“With each new journey, astronauts will have an increasing level of comfort with the ability to explore and study more of the moon than ever before,” said Kathy Lueders, associate administrator for human spaceflight at NASA’s Washington headquarters. “With increased demand for access to the moon, we are developing the technologies to achieve an unprecedented human and robotic presence 240,000 miles from home. Our experience on the moon over this decade will prepare us for an even greater adventure in the universe: human exploration Mars. “

Infographic showing the evolution of lunar activities on the surface and in orbit. Credit: NASA

Where stay

The crew will return to the lunar surface for the first time this century starting with the Artemis III mission. From the lunar orbit, two astronauts will make the first new journey to the surface of the Moon, landing where no human has ever been: the lunar South Pole. This is the ideal location for a future base camp given its potential access to ice and other mineral resources.

In the first few missions, the human landing system will double as lunar accommodation, offering life support systems to support a crew short stay on the Moon. In the future, NASA plans a fixed habitat at Artemis Base Camp that can accommodate up to four astronauts for a month’s stay.

Since 2016, NASA has been working with several companies on their housing systems and designs, evaluating interior layouts, environmental control and life support systems, and exterior structure options, including rigid shells, expandable designs, and hybrid concepts. The agency is currently working with industry to refine ideas for a home and office combination in orbit, recently testing full-size prototypes.

What to dress

Even with minimal surface support in place on early missions, astronauts will embark on an expedition of at least a week to the moon. The crew will work during the day in their modern spacesuits, using new tools to collect samples and organize a series of experiments.

These next-generation spacesuits will provide greater mobility, modern communications, and a more robust life support system than its Apollo predecessors. With improved functionality and movement, the crew can conduct more complex experiments and collect more unique geological samples.

NASA is building the new suits for the initial lunar landing and will transfer the design and manufacturing to the industry for later production.

Travel in style

NASA has proposed two transportation systems on the lunar surface: a lunar land vehicle (LTV) and a mobile home and office called the habitable mobility platform.

The LTV will be an unpressurized or open-topped vehicle, which astronauts can drive in their spacesuits for more than 12 miles from a campsite. Earlier this year, NASA asked American companies to submit ideas for developing an LTV that would handle the rough surface of the Moon, as well as pushing the boundaries of energy generation and storage. The agency is evaluating these responses and hopes to leverage innovations in commercial off-road vehicles, military rovers, and more. Such a vehicle may also be autonomous and capable of driving on pre-programmed routes or it could be operated remotely from Earth to conduct further scientific and exploratory activities.

In addition to the LTV, a pressurized rover will greatly expand the exploration capabilities of the lunar surface to the next level. Pressurization means that astronauts can be in the vehicle in their normal clothing instead of wearing their spacesuit inside as well. This will provide more comfort to work as they traverse the lunar terrain in their mobile habitat and explore large areas. When they are ready to go out to collect samples or organize experiments, they should put on their spacesuits again.

NASA is in the early stage of the idea of ​​a pressurized rover, which formulates concepts and evaluates the rover’s potential exploration and science missions around the South Pole.

What to do

Groundbreaking discoveries from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and Lunar CRater Observation and Sensing Satellite have shown that the Moon is rich in resources, such as ice and above-average access to light, which could support Artemis’ explorers and provide new opportunities for scientific discovery. and enterprising commercial activities. The unexplored South Pole region offers unique opportunities to unlock scientific secrets about the history and evolution of the Earth and Moon, as well as our solar system.

Gathering lunar resources could lead to safer and more efficient operations with less reliance on Earth-supplied supplies. NASA plans to send the Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER) to the lunar South Pole before the crew. Arriving via a commercial delivery of the Moon, the mobile robot will have a close-up view of the distribution and concentration of ice that could be harvested to support human exploration further into the solar system. We will learn how to spend more time on the lunar surface and how to prepare for future trips to Mars by conducting research in the life sciences and learning how to mitigate the dangers associated with space exploration.

What to know

The Sun continually hovers over the lunar horizon of the South Pole throughout the day and year, providing an almost constant source of energy for solar energy opportunities. There is no single place, however, that avoids periods of darkness. This means that NASA must plan the first Artemis systems to survive in an extremely cold environment without power, to build the ability to store energy for up to eight days.

For long-term business trips to Artemis Base Camp, NASA’s Lunar Surface Innovation Initiative is working with the U.S. Departments of Energy and Defense to develop a nuclear fission surface power unit capable of delivering continuously 10 kW of power – the average energy consumption a house here on Earth. This small power plant will be able to power and recharge the other basic elements of the Artemis Base Camp and allow for greater flexibility for mission planning by facilitating the need for continuous access to sunlight in a distinct location during a specific time period. .

What to pack

While NASA will have to carry or ship all the supplies it needs for Artemis’ first missions, the agency wants to know what others would put on their trips to the moon. It’s not too late to submit your #NASAMoonKit photos online.

In this decade, the Artemis program will lay the foundations for a long-term lasting presence on the lunar surface. As our lunar presence grows with the help of trading and international partners, the Moon may someday be the ultimate destination for everyone to explore.