In 1969, NASA made history by sending the first humans to the moon. Now, more than 50 years later, the space agency plans to make history again by sending the first woman and next man to the moon by 2024 as part of its Artemis program.
NASA announced its intention to return to the moon in 2017, with a goal of establishing a sustainable presence on the lunar surface by 2028. However, in 2019, the agency accelerated that timeline, setting a new goal to land the first woman and next man on the moon by 2024.
The decision to send women to the moon is a symbolic gesture that reflects NASA’s commitment to diversity and inclusivity in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). The Artemis program is designed to be more inclusive and diverse than previous space exploration efforts, with a goal of having a diverse astronaut corps that includes more women and people of color.
NASA believes that sending women to the moon will inspire a new generation of girls to pursue STEM fields and become involved in space exploration. The agency has already seen the positive impact that role models like Sally Ride, Mae Jemison, and Ellen Ochoa have had on young people.
The Artemis program is named after the twin sister of Apollo in Greek mythology, emphasizing its commitment to equality and inclusivity. NASA hopes to use the mission to study how the human body responds to long-duration spaceflight, particularly in women. Women’s bodies have some physiological differences that could impact their performance and health during spaceflight, and NASA wants to better understand those differences to ensure that all astronauts can perform at their best.
Ultimately, NASA’s decision to send women to the moon in 2024 is a testament to its commitment to scientific discovery and technological innovation. The agency believes that space exploration is not just about reaching new frontiers, but also about improving life on Earth and inspiring the next generation of explorers.