NASA has announced a delay in its enterprising Artemis programme, pushing back the timeline for two crucial missions aimed at returning humans to the Moon.
Originally slated for September 2025, the Artemis 2 mission, which will send astronauts on a lunar flyby, is now scheduled for April 2026.The Artemis 3 mission, which aims to land the first humans on the Moon since 1972, has been pushed back to mid-2027. The initial target for Artemis 3 was 2026.
This decision comes after NASA identified unexpected wear patterns on the heat shield of the Orion spacecraft during the unmanned Artemis 1 mission in late 2022. “The Artemis campaign is the most daring, technically challenging, collaborative, international endeavor humanity has ever set out to do,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. “We need to get this next test flight right. That’s how the Artemis campaign succeeds.”
“We need to get this next test flight right. That’s how the Artemis campaign succeeds,”
To address these concerns, NASA will refine Orion’s trajectory during re-entry and splashdown in the Pacific ocean. The agency will also use the extended timeframe to further develop the Orion spacecraft’s environmental control and life support systems.
The Artemis 2 crew, consisting of NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, along with Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen, will continue their training for the 10-day mission. They will orbit the Moon before returning to Earth.
Artemis 3 will build upon the Artemis 2 mission, utilizing SpaceX’s Starship as a human landing system to touch down on the lunar surface. This marks a significant step in NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to establish a sustainable presence on the Moon and pave the way for future crewed missions to Mars.
The last time humans set foot on the moon was in 1972 during the Apollo program. The Artemis program represents a new era of lunar exploration, driven by international collaboration and technological advancements.
The Artemis program is a testament to humanity’s enduring fascination with space exploration and our relentless pursuit of pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.
## The Future of Food: Can Vertical Farming Feed a Growing world?
**World Today News Exclusive Interview with Dr. Anya Sharma, Leading Expert in Urban Agriculture**
With the global population projected too reach nearly 10 billion by 2050, the need for sustainable and efficient food production methods has never been greater. Vertical farming,a method that grows crops in stacked layers indoors,offers a promising solution. To delve deeper into this innovative approach,World Today News sat down with Dr. Anya Sharma, a renowned expert in urban agriculture and vertical farming.
**World Today News:** dr. Sharma, thanks for joining us. Can you explain what sets vertical farming apart from customary agriculture and why it’s gaining traction now?
**dr. Sharma:** Absolutely. Vertical farming utilizes indoor, controlled environments to grow crops stacked in vertical layers, often using hydroponics or aeroponics instead of soil. This allows for year-round production, significant water savings, and eliminates the need for pesticides and herbicides. With urbanization increasing and arable land dwindling, vertical farming presents a sustainable solution to feed a growing population directly within urban centers.
**World Today News:** What are the primary benefits of vertical farming for both the environment and consumers?
**Dr. Sharma:** The benefits are multifaceted. From an environmental outlook, vertical farms considerably reduce water consumption, minimize land use, and eliminate harmful runoff associated with traditional agriculture. Moreover, the controlled indoor environment allows for precise monitoring and optimization of growing conditions, resulting in higher yields and reduced food waste. for consumers, vertical farming promises fresh, locally grown produce year-round, regardless of climate conditions.
**World Today news:** While promising, many argue that vertical farming is currently too expensive and energy-intensive to be truly sustainable on a large scale. What are your thoughts on this?
**Dr. sharma:** It’s true that initial investment costs for vertical farms can be high. However, technological advancements are continually lowering these costs. Furthermore, the efficiency gains in water and land use, coupled with higher yields and reduced transportation costs, often offset the energy expenses. There’s ongoing research into renewable energy sources like solar and wind power to power vertical farms, further enhancing thier sustainability.
**World Today News:** Looking ahead, what do you see as the main challenges and opportunities for the future of vertical farming?
**Dr. Sharma:** One major challenge is scaling up production to meet global food demands. we need to develop innovative and cost-effective solutions for building larger, more efficient vertical farms.
Furthermore, consumer acceptance and affordability remain crucial factors. As technology advances and production costs decrease, vertical farming has the potential to become a mainstream food source, offering fresh, healthy, and sustainable food for all.
**World Today News:** Dr. Sharma, thank you for sharing your insights. Your work is crucial in shaping a more sustainable future for food production.
