Artemis II, the highly anticipated second mission of the Artemis program, has been delayed by approximately one year. This setback has disappointed many space enthusiasts who were looking forward to this historic event. Originally scheduled for 2024, the mission will now take place in 2025. Despite this delay, 2024 is still shaping up to be an important year in space exploration, with several exciting projects on the horizon.
One such project is Peregrine 1, the first American mission to the Moon in 50 years. Developed by private company Astrobotic, this mission aimed to land a privately-developed lander on the lunar surface. The primary goal of Peregrine 1 was to study the Moon’s geological mysteries. Equipped with specialized instruments, the spacecraft would have collected data on lunar radiation, analyzed the composition and temperature of the lunar soil, and searched for signs of water. Unfortunately, the mission was plagued by technical difficulties and ultimately failed shortly after its launch on January 8.
Despite this setback, the Artemis program remains a bold and ambitious endeavor. It not only seeks to achieve human Moon landings for the first time in decades but also serves as a stepping stone for future missions to Mars. The complexities of the Artemis mission have necessitated a delay in the timeline, pushing the first crewed missions to the Moon to 2025 and the anticipated Moon landings to 2026. While this delay may be disappointing, it is crucial to ensure the success and safety of the mission.
NASA, along with its partners and collaborators, continues to push the boundaries of space exploration. Numerous projects are currently underway, some directly involving NASA and others serving its needs. These projects aim to advance scientific knowledge and further our understanding of the universe. As we look ahead to the future, it is clear that the Artemis program and other exciting ventures will shape the course of space exploration for years to come.
Peregrine 1, America’s first privately-developed Moon lander, met a fiery end in the Earth’s atmosphere above the South Pacific. However, NASA is not one to be deterred and is gearing up to send its first robotic lunar rover, the Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER), to the Moon in late 2024.
VIPER’s mission is to map the Moon’s resources, with a particular focus on water. Equipped with three spectrometers, this metal box on wheels will analyze the lunar soil for traces of water, most likely in the form of ice. The rover will also utilize an artificial intelligence system called SHERPA to assess risk and make optimized decisions during its journey.
Scheduled to last for 100 days, VIPER’s mission is just the beginning of NASA’s exploration plans. In October 2024, the agency will launch the Europa Clipper, a spacecraft destined for Europa, one of Jupiter’s many moons. What makes Europa special is its potential saltwater ocean beneath its icy surface, containing twice as much water as our entire Earth.
The Europa Clipper’s primary goal is to determine if the moon has the necessary conditions to support life. Equipped with radars, magnetometers, and sensors, the orbiter will sample gas and dust from above Europa’s surface. Additionally, the spacecraft will carry a chip containing the names of a million individuals who have submitted their names to be part of this historic mission.
In 2021, a spacecraft intentionally collided with an asteroid at incredible speeds, providing valuable insights into the impact. Now, a special mission is being planned to further investigate the aftermath of this collision.
DART: Testing a Defense Against Dangerous Space Rocks
In a groundbreaking mission, the projectile spacecraft known as DART (Double Asteroid Redirection Test) was launched in 2021 with the goal of defending our planet against dangerous asteroids. Its target was the dual asteroid called Didymos – Dimorphos. The mission aimed to redirect the smaller piece of rock, Dimorphos, around the larger one by impacting it.
According to data provided by NASA, the impact caused a significant change in Dimorphos’ orbit, altering it by 33 minutes. This successful test demonstrated the potential of using such a method to protect Earth from potential asteroid threats.
Hera: Unveiling the Impact
To gain a deeper understanding of the impact and its effects, the European Space Agency (ESA) devised a mission called Hera. This mission is based on a carrier spacecraft and two CubeSats named Milani and Juventas. These CubeSats, which are the first of their kind to be deployed on a space mission by ESA, will provide valuable data by bombarding the asteroid with radar and other instruments.
The Hera mission is scheduled to launch in October 2024 atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. It is expected to reach its target, Didymos – Dimorphos, three years later. This mission will provide crucial insights into the aftermath of the DART impact and contribute to our understanding of asteroid deflection techniques.
Boeing’s Starliner: Restoring American Spaceflight Independence
In a significant milestone for American space exploration, Boeing introduced the Starliner spacecraft alongside SpaceX’s Crew Dragon. While only SpaceX delivered on its promise, Boeing is determined to make its mark in crewed launches.
The Starliner made its debut flight around the same time as the Crew Dragon. However, it encountered difficulties and failed to reach the International Space Station (ISS) during its test run. Despite a subsequent attempt being scrubbed due to technical issues, NASA and Boeing are gearing up for another launch this summer. This endeavor aims to provide NASA with more options for crew transport to and from the ISS.
Dream Chaser: A Return to the Spaceplane Era
After a decade-long hiatus since the retirement of the Space Shuttle, America is set to witness the return of a non-military spaceplane. Sierra Space, a private company, is preparing to launch the Dream Chaser as part of an official NASA mission to the International Space Station.
The Dream Chaser spacecraft is a modern evolution of NASA’s HL-20 spacecraft concept from the 1960s and 1970s. Its sleek design features a reusable lifting-body spaceplane and a cargo module named the Shooting Star. This innovative spacecraft represents a departure from the conventional capsule-style spaceships that have dominated recent space missions.
With a planned launch date in April 2024, the Dream Chaser mission marks an exciting new chapter in American space exploration. It promises to provide NASA with enhanced capabilities for crewed missions and further advancements in spaceflight technology.
The Dream Chaser, a reusable spaceplane, is set to launch in April 2024. It will be carried by a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Vulcan Centaur rocket. During its first mission, the Dream Chaser will remain attached to the International Space Station (ISS) for 45 days before returning to Earth. The spaceplane has a cargo capacity of 11,500 pounds (5,200 kg), but for this mission, it will carry 7,800 pounds (3,500 kg) of cargo. The Shooting Star, on the other hand, is a disposable spacecraft that will be discarded after each use.
In addition to the Dream Chaser, NASA has not forgotten about Mars. One of the missions planned for 2024 is the Escape and Plasma Acceleration and Dynamics Explorers (EscaPADE). EscaPADE consists of two spacecraft, nicknamed Blue and Gold, which will study the magnetosphere of Mars. The mission aims to understand the transfer of solar wind energy and momentum through Mars’ thin atmosphere and investigate how solar wind may have contributed to the loss of the planet’s atmosphere over time. Built by Rocket Lab, these spacecraft are part of NASA’s Small Innovative Missions for Planetary Exploration (SIMPLEx) program. EscaPADE is scheduled to launch on a Blue Origin New Glenn rocket from Cape Canaveral.
Another upcoming mission is the Electrojet Zeeman Imaging Explorer (EZIE). Launching in June 2024, EZIE is a fleet of three SmallSats designed to study the auroral electrojet. These electrical currents flow about 60 to 90 miles above the Earth’s poles. The goal of the mission is to gain a better understanding of the interaction between Earth and the space weather generated by the Sun. EZIE will be launched into Earth’s orbit as part of NASA’s ongoing exploration of the Sun.
Humanity’s fascination with the Sun continues, and while the Parker Solar Probe remains the most glamorous mission to study the star, upcoming missions like EZIE are still significant. These missions contribute to our understanding of the Sun and its impact on Earth.
NASA’s latest project, the SPHEREx telescope, is set to launch after June 2024 and aims to push the boundaries of space exploration even further. While the James Webb Telescope has set a high bar, SPHEREx is determined to surpass it in terms of performance and capabilities.
The primary objective of SPHEREx is to study the origins of the universe and the evolution of galaxies. By observing the infrared light emitted by celestial objects, the telescope will gather valuable data about the formation of stars, the composition of galaxies, and the presence of water and organic molecules in space.
One of the key features of SPHEREx is its ability to conduct a comprehensive all-sky survey. This means that it will scan the entire sky, mapping out millions of galaxies and collecting data on their properties. This extensive survey will provide scientists with a wealth of information to further their understanding of the universe.
In addition to its scientific goals, SPHEREx also has practical applications. The telescope will help scientists identify potential targets for future missions, such as the search for habitable exoplanets or the study of dark matter. Its advanced technology and precise measurements will revolutionize our understanding of the cosmos.
Overall, SPHEREx is an exciting addition to NASA’s space exploration efforts. With its launch set for after June 2024, we can look forward to groundbreaking discoveries and a deeper understanding of the universe we call home.
NASA’s SPHEREx space observatory is set to revolutionize our understanding of the universe. Despite its long and complex name, this cutting-edge telescope will allow us to explore the cosmos like never before. Unlike other telescopes that focus on individual cosmic targets, SPHEREx will capture vast portions of the sky in both optical and near-infrared light. Although this approach may affect data quality, it will enable us to observe events that occurred just moments after the Big Bang. Launching after June 2024, with a possible delay until 2025, SPHEREx will provide invaluable insights into the history of our universe.
In addition to SPHEREx, NASA has several other important missions planned for this year. While missions like NISAR, PACE, and PREFIRE are dedicated to studying our own planet, the significance of these endeavors should not be underestimated. These missions will contribute to our understanding of Earth and its interconnectedness with the broader universe.
However, it is important to approach these launch dates with caution. Space exploration is a complex and ever-changing field, and delays are not uncommon. As history has shown, the nature of this business is unpredictable, and we must remain adaptable and open-minded. Despite the uncertainties, the potential discoveries and advancements that await us in the realm of space exploration are truly awe-inspiring.