Y’all-itics: August 28, 2022

After nearly 50-years, America is finally returning to the Moon, as Artemis 1 is scheduled to launch Monday, August 29, 2022. The ambitious, 42-day-long mission will be the first time NASA uses Orion, the new spacecraft built to take humans back to the moon. While no astronauts will be on board this mission, it is step one in getting Americans back on the moon by 2024. And the ultimate goal is Mars, moving far beyond the flags and footprints from the original Apollo missions. In this exciting episode of Y’all-itics, the Jasons call up NASA astronaut Dr. Stanley Love, who talks about the importance of this mission, particularly as a moment of unity in our country. NASA’s Chief of Exploration Mission Planning Nujoud Merancy also details the massive amount of work that’s formed the backbone of the mission. And the systems engineer explains how this all leads to Mars.

Artemis 1 mission: https://www.nasa.gov/specials/artemis-i/

Guests

Dr. Stanley Love

NASA Astronaut

Nujoud Merancy

Chief, NASA Exploration Mission Planning