Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), a retired NASA astronaut, is no stranger to pushing the boundaries of space exploration. Having spent over 50 days in space and completed four space shuttle missions, Kelly knows firsthand the challenges and excitement that come with venturing into the unknown. And now, as a senator, he is continuing to advocate for the advancement of space exploration.
In a recent interview with NewsNation’s Henry Amor at Kennedy Space Center, Kelly shared his thoughts on the upcoming Artemis II mission to the moon. He described it as “uncharted territory” for American space explorers, highlighting the significance of this mission in pushing the boundaries of human spaceflight.
“They’re going to go 4,000 miles on the far side of the moon, which is something we’ve never done before, even during Apollo,” Kelly said.
The Artemis II mission, set to launch in 2023, will be the first crewed mission to the moon since the Apollo 17 mission in 1972. It will also mark the first time humans will travel to the far side of the moon, a region that has never been explored before.
This mission is a crucial step in NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to land the first woman and the next man on the moon by 2024. The ultimate goal of the program is to establish a sustainable presence on the moon and use it as a stepping stone for future missions to Mars.
Kelly, who is also a member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, emphasized the importance of this mission in advancing our understanding of the moon and its potential for future exploration.
“We’re going to learn a lot about the moon, we’re going to learn a lot about how to live and work on the moon, and we’re going to learn a lot about how to get to Mars,” he said.
The Artemis II mission will be a joint effort between NASA and its international partners, including the European Space Agency, the Canadian Space Agency, and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. This collaboration is a testament to the global interest and commitment towards space exploration.
Kelly also highlighted the role of private companies in the Artemis program, such as SpaceX and Blue Origin, in developing new technologies and capabilities for space exploration.
“We’re seeing a lot of innovation in the private sector, and that’s really important because it’s going to help us get to the moon and Mars,” he said.
The Artemis II mission will be a challenging one, with many unknowns and risks involved. But Kelly is confident in the capabilities of NASA and its partners to successfully carry out this mission.
“We’ve got the best engineers, the best scientists, the best astronauts in the world, and we’re going to make this happen,” he said.
As a former astronaut, Kelly understands the importance of pushing the boundaries of human exploration and the impact it can have on society. He believes that the Artemis II mission will not only advance our scientific knowledge but also inspire future generations to pursue careers in STEM fields.
“It’s important for us to continue to explore, to continue to push the boundaries, to continue to inspire the next generation,” he said.
In addition to the Artemis II mission, Kelly also discussed the importance of investing in NASA’s budget to support future space exploration efforts. He stressed the need for a long-term, sustainable plan for space exploration, rather than short-term goals that can be easily changed with each new administration.
“We need to have a consistent, long-term plan for space exploration, and that’s what we’re working on in Congress,” he said.
Sen. Mark Kelly’s passion for space exploration and his dedication to advancing it through his role in Congress is truly inspiring. As we look towards the future of space exploration, we can be confident that with leaders like Kelly, we are on the right path towards reaching new frontiers and expanding our understanding of the universe.
