NASA, Canadian Space Agency, and a Historic Achievement

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is one of the most famous space agencies in the world. On Wednesday, NASA made an important announcement. According to the announcement, one of Canada’s astronauts will be sent around the moon as part of the partnership between NASA and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA).

It is worth noting that the two organizations have formally agreed to cooperate on building a lunar space station called the Lunar Gateway. In fact, the Gateway is only one part of NASA’s larger Artemis program. Moreover, the program is focused on landing a woman on the Moon by 2024.

Interestingly, an astronaut from Canada will participate in NASA’s planned Artemis II mission. This is not the end of the story, as the CSA also has a seat on a future flight to the Gateway once it is complete. Canada made an important decision by joining the program. As a reminder, Canada will become the second country to have an astronaut fly around the Moon. At the moment, Canada has just four active astronauts.

People should take into account that, Artemis I is the uncrewed test of NASA’s new rocket, the Space Launch System (SLS) as well as its Orion capsule. Interestingly, Artemis II will be the first flight of the system with people on board, and during its 10-day mission. It is worth mentioning that, the crew will test the spacecraft’s systems on a trip that will take them 4,600 past the far side of the Moon. Importantly, the landing on the Moon is planned for the next mission of Artemis III.

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Interestingly, along with a crew, the Canadian Space Agency will provide external robotics assistance for the Gateway. Notably, the CSA will Canadarm3. As a reminder, Canadarm3 is an autonomous robotics system with multiple arms and detachable tools. The system will inspect as well as repair the outside of the Gateway, catch visiting vehicles, and relocate modules of the Gateway as it orbits the Moon.

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People should take into consideration that, Gateway is very important for NASA. The lunar space station will make it easier to achieve even bigger results. However, it won’t be easy to send people to the Moon due to financial as well as technical issues. Despite all challenges, the space agency will launch the Artemis I mission in November 2021. NASA has the potential to reach formidable results.