The upcoming mission in February aims to send four astronauts, including NASA’s Victor Glover, Reid Wiseman, and Christina Koch, along with Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen, to the moon. Dubbed Artemis II, this mission will take them farther than any human has gone before, with the goal of paving the way for Artemis III, which will mark the first human landing on the moon since 1972.
Apart from testing the spacecraft’s systems, the astronauts will also serve as subjects for various experiments to study the effects of deep space on the human body. Unlike the Apollo missions that focused on collecting rock samples and conducting surface experiments, Artemis II prioritizes understanding how humans can safely travel and survive in space.
One key experiment, ARCHeR (Artemis Research for Crew Health & Readiness), involves astronauts wearing a watch-like device to monitor their sleep, stress, and cognition throughout the mission. This data will be crucial for planning future missions and enhancing crew support.
Another experiment, AVATAR (A Virtual Astronaut Tissue Analog Response), aims to simulate how deep space conditions impact the human body. Blood cells from the astronauts have been collected and placed on a chip to mimic bone marrow, which plays a vital role in the immune system and is sensitive to radiation.
Furthermore, the astronauts will conduct dry saliva sampling in space to analyze how their immune systems respond to radiation and isolation. This study will provide insights into the effects of deep space on hormones, viruses, and cells, including the potential reactivation of dormant viruses.
While Artemis II may not involve the iconic moonwalk like Artemis III, it sets the foundation for long-term human presence in space. The mission’s legacy lies in inspiring future generations to explore beyond Earth, aiming for human settlements on Mars and other celestial bodies in the solar system.
Ultimately, the success of Artemis II will be measured by its contribution to expanding humanity’s reach into the cosmos and inspiring future explorers to continue the journey into space.
