NASA has announced the crew for its upcoming Artemis III mission, although the agency clarified that the astronauts will not be landing on the Moon or even approaching it.
The mission will be commanded by NASA astronaut Randy Bresnik, with Italian Space Agency astronaut Luca Parmitano serving as the pilot. Parmitano has spent more than 300 days in space.
American astronauts Andre Douglas and Frank Rubio will take on the roles of mission specialists. Bob Hines, a test pilot with 170 days of space experience, will act as the backup crew member, ready to replace any participant if necessary.
Initially, Artemis III was intended to be the first crewed lunar landing since Apollo 17 in 1972, with plans for two astronauts to touch down near the Moon’s south pole and conduct a week-long surface mission.
However, in February, NASA revised these plans, stating that the mission would now operate in low Earth orbit, close to the International Space Station (ISS). The mission will focus on docking with prototypes of lunar landers.
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman remarked that despite the changes, this mission is set to be the most challenging in the agency’s history.
“This mission will require the most impressive coordination of heavy rocket launches in history, relying on the talent and capabilities of government teams and the space community,” he stated.
NASA has revealed the crew for Artemis III, which will not include a lunar landing as initially planned. The mission will now focus on operations in low Earth orbit, emphasizing the complexity of the upcoming tasks.
Source: BBC