NASA is set to reveal the names of four astronauts chosen for its first mission to the Moon in over a half century, NASA’s Administrator Bill Nelson said.
“On April the third, we will announce the crew for the first mission back to the Moon in over a half century. Four astronauts: three from America and one from Canada will fly around the Moon and they will test NASA’s Space Launch System which is a rocket and the spacecraft which is called Orion,” Nelson said in the video.
NASA also plans to show the first generation of spacesuits for Artemis III, he added. Artemis III is the follow-on mission that will land on the Moon.
Earlier today, the White House said in a document that President Joe Biden’s budget proposal for 2024 boosts funding for two missions to Mars in partnership with the European Space Agency (ESA) and replaces Russia as a partner. The statement also revealed that US President Joe Biden’s budget proposal is asking Congress to allocate $27.2 billion in discretionary budget authority for NASA. This would be a 7.1% increase from 2023. The budget has yet to be agreed by the Senate and the House – and both chambers may go back and forth for a while.
The budget will ensure regular crewed missions to the International Space Station. The International Space Station is a key in preparing for advanced missions and paves the way for learning about how our bodies are impacted by living in space.
