NASA’s Artemis I mission launched November 16, 2022, sending the Orion spacecraft around the Moon in the first step toward landing astronauts on the lunar surface since 1972.
The Launch
After months of delays (hydrogen leaks, Hurricane Ian, technical issues), NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) - the most powerful rocket ever flown - lifted off from Kennedy Space Center at 1:47 AM EST. Millions watched the night launch illuminate Florida’s coast. SLS delivered 8.8 million pounds of thrust, exceeding Saturn V.
The Mission
Artemis I was uncrewed, testing Orion’s heat shield, life support, and navigation systems. Orion traveled 270,000 miles from Earth - farther than any spacecraft designed for humans. It spent six days in distant retrograde orbit around the Moon before splashing down December 11 in the Pacific Ocean.
Cost Controversy
The program has cost $93 billion since 2012, with each SLS launch costing $4.1 billion - compared to SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy at $150 million per launch. Critics call SLS a “Senate Launch System,” a jobs program for aerospace contractors in key congressional districts. Supporters argue it’s the only rocket capable of sending humans to the Moon in one launch.
Artemis Program
Artemis II (2025) will carry astronauts around the Moon. Artemis III (2026-2027) aims to land the first woman and first person of color on the lunar surface near the South Pole. NASA selected SpaceX’s Starship as the lunar lander, creating an unusual partnership between traditional aerospace and commercial space.
Gateway and Beyond
Plans include building Gateway, a lunar space station, and establishing permanent Moon bases. Artemis is framed as preparation for Mars missions in the 2030s. International partners (ESA, JAXA, CSA) contribute modules and technology.
Source: NASA Artemis Mission