On Dec. 9th, the National Space Council meeting at the Kennedy Space Center, after Reports from various Departments and Agencies represented on the Council, announced the 18 ASstronauts who will comprise the Artemis Cadre. The First Woman and the Next Man to Walk on the Moon will be drawn from this Group.
The Group of Nine men and Nine women, Ethnically Diverse, from a Variety of Backgrounds, is a mix of NASA Veterans and Rookies. Two, Victor Glover and Kate Rubins, are currently Flying on the International Space Station (ISS). All will start Training for Missions to the Moon, which will include Instruction in Field Geology and other Sciences.
© Provided by Space: The 18 members of NASA's Artemis Team, from top left to bottom right: Joe Acaba, Kayla Barron, Raja Chari, Matthew Dominick, Victor Glover, Woody Hoburg, Jonny Kim, Christina Koch, Kjell Lindgren, Nicole Mann, Anne McClain, Jessica Meir, Jasmin Moghbeli, Kate Rubins, Frank Rubio, Scott Tingle, Jessica Watkins and Stephanie Wilson.
Why select the Next Moonwalkers now, at least Four years away from the Next Moon Landing? Much of the reason is, frankly, Political. By selecting the next Artemis Astronauts, NASA has put a Human Face on the Program. The idea is to make it Harder for a Future Administration to Cancel or even Slow Down the Lunar Program.
The Artemis Cadre's Members also come from across the Country, from a Variety of States. Every State has a Congressional Delegation who is very Interested in seeing a Favorite son or daughter go to the Moon.
Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) offered Congratulations to Raja Chari, who hails from Cedar Falls. Members of Congress like Ernst will be more likely to Vote for Funds to see Artemis go forward as a Result of the Astronaut Selection.
NASA Administrator, Jim Bridenstine, promised that the Artemis Cadre is only the Beginning. Future Astronauts will be Selected as Artemis Moonwalkers. Some will come from other, allied Countries. The International aspect of Artemis provides America with a lot of Soft Political Power. Other Countries are said to be quite Enthusiastic about the Program, another Argument that it should continue.
NASA is observing the Tests of the SpaceX Starship with keen interest. A Version of the Starship is in the Running for the Human Landing System, the 21st century Moon Lander that could carry Members of the Artemis Cadre to the Lunar Surface. The full Starship/Superheavy Stack could, with Refueling in Earth Orbit, take a Hundred Tons of People and Cargo to the Moon or Mars.
The Selection of the Artemis Cadre and the Flight Test of the Starship proves that Progress is being made toward the Day when Human beings will Return to the Moon.
But more needs to happen before Human Beings walk on the Moon again.
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
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