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Artemis
With NASA’s Artemis campaign, we are exploring the Moon for scientific discovery, technology advancement, and to learn how to live and work on another world as we prepare for human missions to Mars. We will collaborate with commercial and international partners and establish the first long-term presence on the Moon. NASA will land the first woman and first person of color on the Moon, using innovative technologies to explore more of the lunar surface than ever before.
We’re going back to the Moon for scientific discovery, economic benefits, and inspiration for a new generation of explorers: the Artemis Generation. While maintaining American leadership in exploration, we will build a global alliance and explore deep space for the benefit of all.
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about Why We Are Going To The Moon
The Moon is a treasure trove of science.
Earth’s Moon is a 4.5-billion-year-old time capsule, pristinely preserved by the cold vacuum of space. The lunar samples returned during the Apollo Program dramatically changed our view of the solar system, and scientists continue to unlock new secrets from those samples. Yet, we are just scratching the surface of knowledge about the Moon. Future samples from Artemis missions will continue to advance our knowledge of the history and formation of our solar system including Earth and the Moon.
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How much water is on the Moon, and why is that important for future exploration?
Water is a critical resource for long-term exploration.
Permanently shadowed regions of the Moon, including craters at the South Pole, are rich in frozen water. Finding it on the Moon, extracting it and converting it means water for drinking, oxygen for breathing, and rocket fuel to power missions farther into the solar system. Finding and using resources in space makes exploration more affordable when we do not have to send everything from Earth. This is also important to help NASA get ready for our next giant leap – human exploration of Mars.
NASA wants to understand how much water exists below the surface and if it can be extracted. The Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER) will be the world’s first lunar water-hunting rover and is planned to launch aboard a CLPS provider lander in late 2024.
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How can we grow a lunar economy?
For the Artemis missions,
American innovation is leading the way, and the future at the Moon holds promise for a robust lunar marketplace.
NASA’s strategy stimulates the commercial space industry, which drives new ideas, brings down costs, and grows the business opportunities that can foster a lunar economy and serve other customers for the benefit of humanity.
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Getting to the Moon
Learn about the systems that carry astronauts to the Moon.
In Lunar Orbit
Learn about living and working aboard Gateway in lunar orbit.
On the Lunar Surface
Learn about systems to live and work on the surface of the Moon.
Artemis Partners
Learn about the industry and academic partnerships empowering the Artemis missions.
NASA Encyclopedia
Commercial Lunar Payload Services
NASA is supporting the creation of a lunar economy through commercial deliveries of NASA science that will help prepare for the next generation of explorers.
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We go together.
The Artemis Accords are grounded in the Outer Space Treaty of 1967, outlining the vision and principles for a safe, transparent environment that facilitates exploration, science, and commercial activities for all of humanity to enjoy. To date, 39 countries have joined the accords and are committed to establishing a peaceful, prosperous future in space. More countries will sign the Artemis Accords in the months and years ahead to ensure the entire world can benefit from our journey of exploration and discovery.
More About The Artemis Accords
about Artemis Accords
Learning resources
Join Artemis
Make, launch, teach, compete and learn. Find your favorite way to be part of the Artemis mission.
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Like the Moon, Mars is a rich destination for scientific discovery and a driver of technologies that will enable humans to travel and explore far from Earth.
Mars remains our horizon goal for human exploration because it is one of the only other places we know where life may have existed in the solar system. What we learn about the Red Planet will tell us more about our Earth’s past and future, and may help answer whether life exists beyond our home planet.
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about Humans to Mars
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
NASA explores the unknown in air and space, innovates for the benefit of humanity, and inspires the world through discovery.
About NASA's Mission
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