The first launch of the American test mission to the moon is scheduled for February 2022

The first launch of the American test mission to the moon under the Artemis program is scheduled for February 12, 2022. It is reported by NASA.

As part of the mission, the launch of the Space Launch System and the Orion spacecraft is planned. It will be carried out in an unpility mode in a 21-minute window, which will open at 17:56 February 12 on the time of the US East coast. The flight of Orion ship will last from four to six weeks, depending on the change in the start date.

As part of the Artemis mission, 1 ORION spacecraft will go to the moon, in the orbit of which it will be for several weeks. Then the ship will return to the ground. The test flight should demonstrate the readiness of the SLS missile and the Orion ship to perform the manned mission to the moon. During the next Artemis mission, the crew consisting of four astronauts will go to the moon.

The main goal of the Artemis program is to return a person to the lunar surface, the construction of a near -moon station and the preparation of conditions for the possible colonization of the moon.