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NASA On Track For First Woman To Land On The Moon In 2024

NASA On Track For First Woman To Land On The Moon In 2024

There will be two test runs in 2021 and 2023.

Lucy Devine

Lucy Devine

NASA has revealed it is still on track for the first woman to land on the moon in 2024.

The Artemis mission will include an unmanned launch - expected to take place in 2021 - before a manned launch which is set to go ahead in 2024.

It will be the first time a woman has stepped foot on the moon, following Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, who were the first people to walk on the moon in 1969.

It will be the first time a woman has stepped foot on the moon (
PA)

Initially, NASA's new rocket, the Space Launch System, will launch without astronauts on board.

Two years later, in 2023 another test will launch - this time with astronauts - before finally, in 2024, they will attempt to land on the moon, with a female astronaut taking her first step.

NASA explain after initially launching on the Space Launch System, the team of astronauts will travel 240,000 miles to lunar orbit aboard the Orion spacecraft. They will board one of the new human landing systems or dock to the Gateway, to conduct an inspection and gather supplies.

The first footstep on the moon, back in 1969 (
PA)

They will then go on to board the landing system to the surface of the moon, where the astronauts will conduct scientific experiments and collect samples over a period of almost one week.

Once complete, the crew will then head home to Earth aboard the Orion spacecraft.

Jim Bridenstine, NASA Administrator, said: "With bipartisan support from Congress, our 21st century push to the Moon is well within America's reach.

The astronauts will conduct scientific experiments and collect samples (
Unsplash)

"As we've solidified more of our exploration plans in recent months, we've continued to refine our budget and architecture.

"We're going back to the Moon for scientific discovery, economic benefits, and inspiration for a new a generation of explorers.

"As we build up a sustainable presence, we're also building momentum toward those first human steps on the Red Planet."

What an exciting time!

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: News, Nasa