Friday, July 12, 2019

NASA's Artemis Program by Diane Burton



This month, we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of putting men on the moon. That’s right. Fifty years ago, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin stepped foot on the lunar surface. They arrived via the Apollo XI spaceship then the lunar landing vehicle.

If you recall the spaceships that carried more than two people were all named Apollo after the Roman and Greek god of the sun. It’s rare that in mythology, the Roman and Greek names are the same. Apollo’s twin sister was Artemis (in Greek) and Diana (in Roman myths), goddess of the hunt.


Artemis is also the goddess of the moon.

This isn’t a lesson in mythology, even though I find it interesting. NASA’s program to place men on the moon and develop an on-going presence there is called Artemis. With that little mythology lesson, it makes sense why. Apollo program put a man on the moon. Artemis will send a woman there. Is that cool or what?

We hear a lot about inclusion and diversity. According to NASA administrator, Jim Bridenstine, the new name for the program represents the goal of including women, more importantly to land a woman on the moon. Soon. Like 2024.

I have two granddaughters. Like their mothers, they’ve been taught that girls can do anything. It took many years before women were allowed into the space program and then into space. What a marvelous experience for today’s girls to see women step foot on the moon and work there.


When I read about the new programs, my first thought is how are they going to do it. They will put something like a space station, called the Lunar Orbital Platform Gateway, that will orbit the moon. The astronauts, a four-person crew, will use it as their home-away-from-home. From there, using the Lunar Lander, they will make trips down to the moon’s surface then back again doing research, gathering data, and conducting scientific experiments. They will spend thirty to ninety days on Gateway before returning to Earth.


If you want to read more about the Artemis program, here are a couple of links.





12 comments:

Pamela S Thibodeaux said...

Interesting and amazing post Diane!
Good luck and God's blessings
PamT

Alicia Dean said...

All of this is way above my head, but fascinating. Yes, a woman on the moon will be amazing. I guess Ralph Kramden will finally get his wish. :D Thanks for the interesting post!

Patricia Kiyono said...

It's so hard to believe it's been 50 years since the first moon visit! I remember watching it on TV. Dad let us stay up late to watch because it was such a historic moment. Thanks for keeping us up to date!

Nightingale said...

You always do interesting posts, Diane. Best wishes for your book.

Diane Burton said...

Thanks, Pam.

Diane Burton said...

Alicia, I laughed out loud over Ralph Kramden. Very funny.

Diane Burton said...

Patty, I have a hard time realizing it's been 50 years, too. My dad took a movie (Super 8) of the tv during the landing. He wanted to preserve the occasion. lol Little did he know, we'd see it over and over again.

Diane Burton said...

Thanks, Linda.

Alina K. Field said...

Every time I hear about Artemis, I wonder how Artemis Gordon got his name, lol! Love the post.

Maureen said...

Thanks Diane! Your posts are always so informative and inspiring!

Diane Burton said...

I never thought of Artemis Gordon. How strange is that? Thanks, Alina.

Diane Burton said...

Thanks so much, Maureen.