NASA has had a remarkable past year, with numerous milestones and achievements that have taken the space community by storm. From the historic return of asteroid material to the launch of the Psyche spacecraft, the space agency has been on a roll. As the agency looks ahead to 2024, it seems that the excitement is set to continue. In a new video released by NASA, the space agency gives us a Look into what promises to be an even more thrilling year ahead.
One of the most anticipated missions of 2024 is the Artemis II flight, which will send four astronauts on a flyby of the moon. Scheduled for November, this mission will take the astronauts within 80 miles of the moon’s surface, a feat that has not been accomplished since the Apollo missions in the late 1960s. This mission is a crucial step in NASA’s plans to return humans to the moon by 2028 and establish a sustainable presence on the lunar surface. The success of the Artemis II mission will pave the way for the next major step: the lunar landing, which is expected to take place in the late 2020s.
Another major mission that NASA has planned for 2024 is the VIPER (Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover) mission to the lunar surface. This rover will explore the moon’s South Pole in search of lunar water ice, a vital resource that can be used to support future crewed missions to the moon and beyond. The VIPER mission was initially scheduled for 2023, but NASA delayed it to ensure that the spacecraft’s landing system was thoroughly tested.
NASA is also planning to launch the Europa Clipper mission in 2024, which will explore one of Jupiter’s largest moons, Europa. This mission is designed to uncover the secrets of Europa’s icy surface and subsurface ocean, which is believed to contain a liquid water layer beneath the ice. The discovery of liquid water on Europa has significant implications for the search for extraterrestrial life, as it suggests that the moon may be capable of supporting a habitable environment.
NASA’s Busy Year Ahead: A Journey to the Stars and Beyond
In addition to these major missions, NASA will also be continuing its research on the James Webb Space Telescope, which has been making groundbreaking discoveries in deep space since its launch in 2021. The telescope has been providing scientists with unprecedented insights into the formation and evolution of galaxies, stars, and planets, and its research will continue to shed light on the mysteries of the universe in 2024.
Finally, NASA is also planning to support SpaceX’s efforts to develop the Starship spacecraft, which is designed to carry the first humans to Mars in the 2030s. While the Starship has experienced some setbacks, including two failed test flights this year, NASA is hopeful that the spacecraft will eventually reach orbit and become a major player in the next phase of human spaceflight.
As we look ahead to 2024, it’s clear that NASA has a busy and exciting year ahead. From the Artemis II mission to the Europa Clipper, the James Webb Space Telescope, and the ongoing development of the Starship, the space agency is set to continue making major strides in the exploration of space. And in April, the eclipse will be visible in North America, Canada, and Mexico, providing a rare opportunity for people to marvel at the beauty of the sun.
2024 promises to be an incredible year for NASA and the space community, with a range of missions and events that will push the boundaries of human knowledge and understanding of the universe. As NASA continues to explore the stars and beyond, we can only imagine what the future of space travel and discovery will hold.
