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Artemis: Colonising the Cosmos 

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The most powerful and brightest rocket to ever be launched by humanity lifted itself above the swamps of East Florida. It was the first launch of many missions dubbed: Artemis. This mission is dedicated to lighting a spark in the deep darkness of space by sustaining a constant presence on our only large natural satellite: The Moon. 

On Wednesday the 16th of November, at 6:47am the Orion capsule set off aboard the SLS (Space Launch System) and into a Low Earth orbit. Once it achieved this, the second stage of the rocket burned its engine to raise its orbit higher above the Earth. Once the capsule has come back down to its perigee (lowest point in the orbit), it will once again burn its engine to raise its orbit into an encounter with the moon. It will then lower its velocity to have a close flyby. It will not enter an orbit but burn itself back into an encounter with Earth’s atmosphere. Then it will separate its service module from its capsule and re-enter the Earths atmosphere. 

Along the way to the moon and back, the team at NASA will test many different digital and life support systems aboard the Orion spacecraft. This will enhance NASA’s knowledge on what needs to be fixed or improved inside the craft and make it as safe as possible for future astronauts. 

Sarah Cruddas, leading space journalist and author, was present at the launch of Artemis, said: “We are returning to the moon. Soon you will be able to look up at the moon and know there are people there – possibly looking back at you. Here’s to a new era in space exploration. The Artemis Generation.”

Despite this impressive first launch, NASA have had much trouble in launching this rocket. Failing to achieve its original launch date, 2017, the SLS rocket has suffered many setbacks due to weather and technical issues. In August 2022 a hydrogen leak in the second stage engine forced them to ‘scrub’ the mission and roll it back to the VAB (Vehicle Assembly Building). A few weeks prior to the actual launch, hurricane Ian struck the East coast of Florida and the Kennedy space centre. Despite this, NASA kept the rocket out and it only suffered minor damage which, was easily fixed. 

“We rise together, back to the moon the moon and beyond,” echoing the words of Derrol Nail, who is the official NASA commentator. But will NASA reach its colonization goal before its too late for the earth? Will we fulfil the dreams of John F. Kennedy or quench them in failure yet again? This is all up to you, to decide the destiny of our race.

By Max, Austin & Owen Yr8

Carre’s Grammar School, Sleaford

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28 thoughts on “Artemis: Colonising the Cosmos ”

  2. In early December it will be the 50th anniversary of when humans last went to the moon. Crazy to think how that was achieved with the basic technology they had back then – not many had colour tv and only three channels. Sending probes and robots would be much cheaper.

  4. An excellent and informative piece of writing. I love space and everything to do with it. Well done boys.

  5. What an interesting article to read I will be sure to ask my relatives about it who back on to Cape Canaveral. Will you be doing updates?

  18. Max, Owen and Austin, this is just brilliant! Bright futures ahead of you. In the words of Derrol Neil ‘“We rise together, back to the moon the moon and beyond,”… tocuhe Mr Neil. You three are certainly rising together!

  24. how viable do you think this project is given the economic climate around the world at the moment?

  25. Nice article! Very wild to think that we went to the moon only 66 years after inventing the plane (1903/1969). In 2035 another 66 years will have passed since then, I wonder what thing we’ll have doing then we once thought of as impossible? Looking forward to my Lunar holiday home.

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