Lori Glaze, NASA affiliate administrator: “It is a test flight. Many critical systems will be tested for the first time” | Science | EUROtoday

Lori Glaze is a physicist, skilled in planetary volcanology, and performing affiliate administrator of the United States area company, NASA. The particular person in cost attends to EL PAÍS on the Kennedy Space Center, a couple of meters from the long-lasting hangar the place its rockets are constructed and repaired. On the appropriate, about 5 kilometers away, factors in direction of the sky the SLS, probably the most highly effective rocket in historical past, which is scheduled to take off on Wednesday with the 4 astronauts of the Artemis 2 mission, the primary manned journey to the Moon in additional than 50 years.

Ask. What’s going by way of your head in these moments earlier than the launch?

Answer. I take into consideration the 1000’s of people that have labored on this mission, on this rocket and on this ship. We are all able to ship the 4 crew members to circle the Moon on the primary strive. The countdown started this Monday. The groups will make closing preparations on the launch pad. We are ready.

P. The astronauts on the mission are being held in quarantine. Can you go see them?

R. Yes. With all of the precautions and with masks, after all. Right now they’re in a constructing close to the Kennedy Space Center headquarters, the place they’ve all of the area they should dwell lately. We have every thing you want. There is a staff of assistants who’re with them, additionally in quarantine, who be sure they’ve every thing they want, from meals to the opportunity of train and medical help if mandatory.

P. It is the primary time many essential methods have been examined. Isn’t it dangerous?

R. Let’s keep in mind that it is a check flight. Many methods will probably be examined for the primary time. Most essential is the Environmental Control and Life Support System, which retains the crew protected and wholesome throughout this 10-day voyage. We have accomplished a variety of testing to verify it should work. There are redundant methods in case the principle one fails. And we even have many alternatives to ship them again residence if we have to. For the primary 24 hours after launch, we’ll check all of those methods whereas the Orion capsule orbits Earth, permitting us to return if one thing would not work.

P. Are there choices to abort the mission after beginning the engines that can take them to the Moon?

R. Once we have now accomplished that, the translunar injection, we will nonetheless flip round, begin the engines and return to Earth if mandatory. This risk exists in the course of the first 24 hours after the injection. After that day, the most secure factor for the crew is to proceed the journey to the Moon and return after turning round, until there’s something extraordinarily essential.

P.As join the Artemis 2 mission with the colonization of the Moon?

R. Our aim is to have the power to ship people to the Moon commonly, at the very least twice a 12 months, possibly extra. In the subsequent decade, we hope to have a number of liveable bases on the lunar floor the place astronauts can keep. It will probably be one thing widespread, as a lot as present journeys to the International Space Station [el único puesto permanentemente habitado en el espacio, que orbita la Tierra a unos 400 kilómetros de altitud].

P. That undertaking relies on firms like SpaceX and Blue Origin. Are you able to make it occur?

R. SpaceX has constructed its personal platform to launch Starship from right here. Both this firm and Blue Origin are working diligently on the event of their lunar lander. Especially in current months they’ve accelerated to have the ability to make a touchdown on the Moon in 2028. We have additionally introduced a brand new mission in 2027 that can enable us to check sure elements of the landers with out having to go to the Moon, issues like method and even docking maneuvers with their ships and ours in Earth orbit.

P. Apollo 8 in 1968, the earlier mission to orbit the Moon, occurred within the worst 12 months of the Vietnam War. Artemis 2 is now taking place with the United States at conflict with Iran. What would you want this mission to contribute?

R. This mission is a ray of hope for the entire world. It ought to present that the United States and our worldwide companions can do superb issues if we work collectively. I hope it has nothing to do with the conflict. Our alliances are robust and we have now been making ready this for a very long time.

P. Is NASA’s plan nonetheless for a lady to set foot on the Moon for the primary time?

R. We are going to decide on the very best crew, however in case you take a look at our astronaut corps, you will note that there are lots of choices to select from.

P. Is President Donald Trump coming to the launch?

P. Don’t know. Of course, we invited you.