The last time humans visited the moon, the satellite was a destination.
But, when NASA’s Artemis 1 mission lifts off on Monday, the Moon will be seen as a stopover on an even further journey. According to experts, Artemis is only the first step in a program that will allow humans to go beyond the Moon.
Isabelle Tremblay of the Canadian Space Agency says the ultimate goal of this program is to reach Mars. She adds that Canadian scientists are at the forefront of space travel research. In particular, they are trying to find ways to feed astronauts or to ensure that they are kept healthy in deep space.
Canada is also building a new, more sophisticated Canadarm for the lunar Gateway space station, which will be placed in orbit around the Earth satellite to serve as a springboard for voyages to the Red Planet. Ms. Tremblay points out that Canada benefits from great scientific benefits by collaborating with the American space program.
Canadian scientists already have access to the new James Webb Space Telescope. The next Artemis mission to the moon should have a Canadian astronaut.
Photo credit: ESO/J. Girard.