Why in News?
- NASA preparing for Artemis II (2026)—first crewed lunar mission since 1972, marking transition from exploration to permanent human presence on Moon.
- Announcement of long-term lunar roadmap including base establishment and nuclear propulsion signals next phase of space competition.
Relevance
- GS III (Science & Tech)
- Space technology, ISRU, propulsion
- GS II (IR)
- Space geopolitics, global competition
Practice Question
Q1.“Artemis programme marks a shift from exploration to sustained human presence in space.”
Analyze its significance. (250 words)
Overview
- Artemis programme aims to establish sustainable human presence on Moon, shifting objective from “flags and footprints” (Apollo) to long-term habitation.
- Artemis II: 4 astronauts, ~10-day lunar flyby mission, testing life-support and deep-space systems before landing missions.
- Launch vehicle: Space Launch System (SLS) with ~8.8 million pounds thrust (15% more than Saturn V), enabling deep-space missions.
- NASA targeting biannual lunar missions (every 6 months) to build logistics chain for sustained presence.
- Focus on Lunar South Pole due to presence of water ice, critical for oxygen, fuel (hydrogen), and life support.
- Plan includes Lunar Gateway (orbital station) + Base Camp on surface, enabling continuous astronaut presence similar to ISS.
- Requires In-Situ Resource Utilisation (ISRU)—using lunar soil (regolith) to extract water, oxygen, and fuel.
- Marks shift from exploration → infrastructure building → deep space launchpad (Mars, asteroids).
Static Background
Apollo vs Artemis
- Apollo (1969–72): Short-term missions, 12 astronauts landed, no sustained presence.
- Artemis (2022–): Long-term habitation model, integration of robotics, private sector, and international partners.
International Space Station (ISS)
- Operational since ~2000, at ~400 km altitude, continuously inhabited for ~25 years.
- Demonstrated human survival in space, microgravity experiments, but limited to Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
- Scheduled retirement by 2030, transitioning toward lunar and private space stations.
Technological & Strategic Innovations
- ISRU (Living off the land): Extracting water/oxygen from lunar regolith reduces dependence on Earth-based supplies.
- Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (NTP):
- Twice as efficient as chemical rockets.
- Reduces Mars travel time from 9 months → 4–6 months, lowering radiation risks.
- Cryogenic fuel storage and logistics chains critical for sustained missions.
- Integration of AI, robotics, and autonomous systems for habitat construction and resource extraction.
Global Space Competition
- USA (NASA): Artemis + Gateway + Base Camp, aiming permanent presence by 2030s.
- China (CNSA): International Lunar Research Station (ILRS), crewed landing target ~2029.
- India (ISRO): Post-Chandrayaan success, targeting human spaceflight (Gaganyaan) and future lunar missions.
- Japan (JAXA) & Europe: Key collaborators in lunar logistics and rover development.
- Emergence of multi-polar space race, unlike US-USSR bipolar competition of Cold War.
Role of Private Sector (Space Economy)
- Space economy valued at >$600 billion globally, driving innovation and cost reduction.
- SpaceX (Starship): Human Landing System (HLS) for Artemis missions.
- Blue Origin, Intuitive Machines: Cargo delivery under Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS).
- Shift from state-led → public-private partnership model in space exploration.
Significance
- Moon as strategic launchpad for Mars and deep-space missions, reducing cost and energy requirements.
- Enhances scientific research (lunar geology, space biology) and technological advancements.
- Drives space economy growth, including mining (helium-3, rare earths), tourism, and manufacturing.
- Strengthens geopolitical influence and technological leadership in emerging domain of space.
Challenges / Criticisms
- High cost and sustainability concerns of long-term lunar missions.
- Space militarisation risks due to strategic competition among nations.
- Technological uncertainties in ISRU, radiation shielding, and long-duration human survival.
- Governance gaps: Outer Space Treaty lacks clarity on resource extraction and ownership.
- Environmental concerns: Space debris and lunar ecological disturbance.
Way Forward
- Develop international governance framework for lunar resource utilisation under UN mechanisms.
- Strengthen global collaboration (Artemis Accords, ILRS partnerships) to avoid conflict.
- Invest in advanced propulsion (nuclear, electric) and life-support technologies.
- Encourage private sector innovation with regulatory oversight for sustainable space economy.
- India should accelerate Gaganyaan, lunar missions, and BAS (space station) to remain competitive.
Prelims Pointers
- Artemis II: First crewed lunar mission since Apollo.
- SLS: Most powerful rocket (~8.8 million pounds thrust).
- ISS altitude: ~400 km; Moon distance: ~400,000 km.
- ISRU: Use of local resources (water ice → fuel/oxygen).
- Lunar South Pole: Water ice presence.
