NASA astronauts Nicole Mann and Doug “Wheels” Wheelock tested on Earth a model of an elevator that will be used by the crews of the Artemis missions during the moon landing. It was developed by SpaceX for its lander.
Elevator for the Moon
American astronauts have tested an elevator that SpaceX proposes to use when landing people on the moon. As part of the Artemis program, this private space service provider has been assigned the task of delivering two astronauts from aboard the Orion spacecraft to the surface of our planet’s natural moon.
For this purpose, the company is developing the HLS lander, which is a variant of its own Starship. It’s not even close to ready yet, but testing of its individual modules is in full progress. The elevator for lowering people and cargo to the moon refers specifically to them.
The company’s specialists claim that this is a simplified model, but the cabin platform and the drive mechanisms on it are already exactly the same, which should fly to the Moon by the end of this decade.
Nicole Mann and Doug “Wheels” Wheelock have already tested the design on Earth. In order to simulate difficult conditions, they put on spacesuits. In general, tests have shown that the design of the elevator fully meets the requirements.
When will the moon landing take place
However, the elevator on which astronauts will descend to the surface of the Moon from the hatch of the lander is perhaps the smallest problem with the implementation of the Artemis program plan. After all, the next flight with a crew is scheduled for 2024.
However, there will be no moon landing during it. Astronauts will simply fly around our moon. However, the third mission, during which HLS and an elevator on board will definitely be needed, is planned for 2025.
But there has been more and more talk lately that it will have to be postponed at least until 2027. And SpaceX’s problems with the launch of the basic version of Starship play an important role in this. Without this, there can be no talk of any lander flight to the moon.
According to www.space.com
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