In December 1972, Apollo 17 astronauts Harrison Schmitt and Eugene Cernan stepped onto the moon's surface to collect rock and soil samples. Schmitt, a field geologist and the first scientist to set foot on the moon, described his mission as putting the frosting on the cake of answering questions in the Taurus-Littrow area, which is deeper than the Grand Canyon. According to The Independent - Main, Schmitt said having a field geologist on board made the crew more efficient at gathering meaningful samples. No other person has set foot on the moon since Apollo 17, according to multiple sources. NASA plans to return astronauts to the moon as soon as 2025, with Artemis II serving as a critical test flight.
Artemis II, a 10-day mission to the moon, is designed to test safety and life-support systems with a crew of four. However, the mission has encountered issues including liquid hydrogen leaks, communication problems, and system glitches, according to research. The liquid hydrogen leaks originated from the area where fueling lines connect to the core stage of the rocket, and NASA raised the allowable gas concentration limit from 4% to 16% for hydrogen leaks. Before launch, Artemis II faced a communication problem between Eastern Range and the flight termination system. A battery in the Launch Abort System had a higher-than-expected temperature, later determined to be a faulty sensor. After launch, NASA lost communication with the Orion capsule for a short time. The crew also faced a controller issue with the toilet, which was resolved, and encountered two non-working Microsoft Outlook applications.
Well, I tell you Gene, I think the next generation ought to accept this as a challenge. Let's see them leave footsteps like these someday.
NASA's safety culture has been broken since the beginning of the Shuttle program, according to research. The Rogers Commission identified hierarchy, communication failures, and management overriding engineering judgment after the Challenger disaster. The Columbia Accident Investigation Board found that NASA had not implemented the 1986 recommendations. These concerns persist as Artemis II prepares for launch.
According to The Independent - Main, Harrison Schmitt described the most important part of Artemis II as giving ground people and Mission Control real risk experience rather than simulation. Schmitt, 90, is one of the four Apollo moonwalkers still alive today, according to major media reports. He is a former U.S. senator from New Mexico. Schmitt believes a lunar base makes sense for geopolitical reasons, as a presence in deep space, and in preparation for going to Mars, according to major media. He said the moon has resources that will reduce the cost of going to Mars and that new generations need to gain experience working in deep space. Schmitt felt excitement when the Artemis II crew rocketed into space on a historic lunar flyby, according to major media.
You’ve just got to remember, what used to be called supernatural probably should be called unknown physics.
Helium-3 is a non-radioactive isotope that can fuse with deuterium or itself, releasing charged particles, according to research. The moon's crust is the closest place to get significant quantities of Helium-3. Harrison Schmitt computed that a privately-financed mining venture on the moon could be profitable if launch costs are reduced to $3,000 per kilo and development costs kept under $10 billion, according to research. According to www.iter.org, Schmitt described fusion as a potential solution to meet an eightfold or higher increase in energy demand by 2050.
It remains unclear whether Artemis II has actually launched, and if so, when. The current status of the hydrogen leak issue and the safety culture concerns at NASA are also unknown. There are no concrete plans or timelines for establishing a lunar base or mining Helium-3. The number of surviving Apollo moonwalkers and their identities are not fully confirmed.
The Apollo space suit (A7LB) was constraining and required water-cooled underwear for extended work.
Fusion could help meet an eightfold or higher increase in energy demand by 2050.