{"id":96362,"date":"2022-02-09T17:15:00","date_gmt":"2022-02-09T21:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/?migration=converted-node-476721"},"modified":"2023-09-18T10:52:59","modified_gmt":"2023-09-18T14:52:59","slug":"nasa-looks-ahead-in-2022-artemis-x-59-lunar-exploration-and-more","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/missions\/station\/nasa-looks-ahead-in-2022-artemis-x-59-lunar-exploration-and-more\/","title":{"rendered":"NASA Looks Ahead in 2022: Artemis, X-59, Lunar Exploration, and More"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>After a 2021 filled with complex challenges and extraordinary successes, 2022 is shaping up to be another busy year for NASA. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Receiving the first images from the\u202f<a href=\"https:\/\/www.jwst.nasa.gov\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">James Webb Space Telescope<\/a>, launching the first uncrewed Artemis mission around the Moon and back to Earth, sending NASA science and technology to the surface of the Moon on three missions with our commercial partners, and flying the agency\u2019s first quiet, supersonic plane are just a few of the things NASA has planned in the months ahead. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Ambitious Goals for 2022<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Video:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=el7RFWBlFDU\" rel=\"noopener\">NASA in 2022: The Future Is Now<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"NASA 2022: The Future is Now\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/el7RFWBlFDU?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>From leading humanity\u2019s Artemis exploration era, to unraveling the hidden mysteries of the universe with our new flagship astrophysics telescope, NASA is poised to reach new highs in the upcoming year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once the\u202fJames Webb Space Telescope\u202fis fully commissioned and begins science operations, it will provide an unprecedented window into the universe\u2019s deep past. Serving thousands of astronomers worldwide, Webb will study every phase in the history of our universe, ranging from the first luminous glows after the big bang, to the formation of solar systems capable of supporting life on planets like Earth, to the evolution of our own solar system. <\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-none \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/pia24542-perseverances-selfie-with-ingenuity-1041.jpg\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1041\" height=\"766\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/pia24542-perseverances-selfie-with-ingenuity-1041.jpg?w=1041\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"NASA\u2019s Perseverance Mars rover took a selfie with the Ingenuity helicopter, seen here about 13 feet (3.9 meters) from the rover.\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/pia24542-perseverances-selfie-with-ingenuity-1041.jpg 1041w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/pia24542-perseverances-selfie-with-ingenuity-1041.jpg?resize=300,221 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/pia24542-perseverances-selfie-with-ingenuity-1041.jpg?resize=768,565 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/pia24542-perseverances-selfie-with-ingenuity-1041.jpg?resize=1024,753 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/pia24542-perseverances-selfie-with-ingenuity-1041.jpg?resize=400,294 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/pia24542-perseverances-selfie-with-ingenuity-1041.jpg?resize=600,441 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/pia24542-perseverances-selfie-with-ingenuity-1041.jpg?resize=900,662 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1041px) 100vw, 1041px\" loading=\"eager\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">NASA\u2019s Perseverance Mars rover took a selfie with the Ingenuity helicopter, seen here about 13 feet (3.9 meters) from the rover. This image was taken by the WASTON camera on the rover\u2019s robotic arm on April 6, 2021, the 46th Martian day, or sol, of the mission.<\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\"><strong><em>Credits: NASA\/JPL-Caltech\/MSSS<\/em><\/strong><\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>The uncrewed Artemis I mission, expected to launch in Spring 2022, will test the agency\u2019s powerful Space Launch System rocket and the Orion spacecraft together for the first time. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/directorates\/spacetech\/small_spacecraft\/capstone\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">CAPSTONE<\/a> (Cislunar Autonomous Positioning System Technology Operations and Navigation Experiment) CubeSat will be the first to test precision navigation for a unique, elliptical orbit around the Moon as a precursor to Gateway. NASA\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/artemisprogram\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">return to the Moon<\/a> under Artemis will prepare humanity for our next giant leap to Mars. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On Mars, the next phase of the\u202f<a href=\"https:\/\/mars.nasa.gov\/mars2020\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Perseverance mission<\/a>\u202fwill continue its search for ancient microbial life. Scientists will deepen their understanding of the Red Planet as the Perseverance rover explores the delta that formed in Jezero crater billions of years ago from sediment carried by an ancient river that once existed in the crater. Plus, work continues on a future Mars Sample Return mission to collect the Martian rock samples Perseverance collected last year, and deliver them to Earth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The year ahead will also bring two historic first flights from NASA\u2019s aeronautics program: the\u202f<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/specials\/X59\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">X-59 Quiet SuperSonic Technology (QueSST)<\/a>, the first quiet, supersonic plane, and the\u202f<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/specials\/X57\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">X-57 Maxwell<\/a>, the all-electric experimental aircraft. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Meanwhile, NASA will continue to demonstrate its\u202f<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/exploration\/commercial\/index.html\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">commitment<\/a>\u202fto the economic development of low-Earth orbit. This year the agency will test\u202f<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/subject\/11845\/starliner\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Boeing\u2019s Starliner<\/a>\u202ffor regular crew missions; continue to fly expedition crews to and from the International Space Station with partner SpaceX; and launch NASA\u2019s\u202f<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/press-release\/nasa-selects-second-private-astronaut-mission-to-space-station\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">first private astronaut mission<\/a>\u202fto the space station with Axiom Space. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In deep space, NASA will test new planetary defense technology when the Double Asteroid Redirection Test \u202f<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/dart\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">(DART)<\/a>\u202fmission reaches its target, the moonlet Dimorphos, in late 2022. DART is powered by two <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/feature\/dart-gets-its-wings-spacecraft-integrated-with-innovative-solar-array-technology-and-camera\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Roll-Out Solar Arrays<\/a>, an innovative compact solar array developed with NASA support. The Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/ixpe\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">(IXPE)<\/a>\u202fwill study X-ray light from black holes and other extreme cosmic objects.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Closer to home, NASA will put two new technologies to the test that could change how we build future missions. The Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/mission_pages\/tdm\/lcrd\/index.html\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">LCRD<\/a>)\u202fwill demonstrate new communications technology, using lasers to send and receive data between Earth and space at rates 10-100 times faster than conventional radio frequency transmission. The Bernard Kutter Low-Earth Orbital Flight Test of an Inflatable Decelerator, or LOFTID, will demonstrate an inflatable heat shield for atmospheric re-entry of heavy payloads, an innovation that could enable human landings on Mars.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Pushing the boundaries of NASA\u2019s space exploration even farther are two upcoming missions:\u202f<a href=\"https:\/\/www.jpl.nasa.gov\/missions\/psyche\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Psyche<\/a>, targeted to launch in August, will investigate the metal-rich asteroid Psyche, carrying with it the Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC) technology demonstration, which will test laser communications farther from Earth than ever before; and\u202f<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/press-release\/nasa-selects-mission-to-study-churning-chaos-in-our-milky-way-and-beyond\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Gusto<\/a>, targeted to launch in December, will allow researchers to study cosmic material via a high-altitude, balloon-carried telescope. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Also this year, the launch of several major Earth science missions into low-Earth orbit in 2022 will enhance the agency\u2019s ability to monitor our changing planet.\u202f<a href=\"https:\/\/swot.jpl.nasa.gov\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">SWOT<\/a>\u202fwill evaluate the world\u2019s oceans and their role in climate change;\u202f<a href=\"https:\/\/tropics.ll.mit.edu\/CMS\/tropics\/Mission-Overview\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">TROPICS<\/a>\u202fwill provide improved, rapid measurements of tropical cyclones;\u202f<a href=\"https:\/\/earth.jpl.nasa.gov\/emit\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">EMIT<\/a>\u202fwill examine how mineral dust affects human health and the heating and cooling of Earth; and\u202f<a href=\"http:\/\/tempo.si.edu\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">TEMPO<\/a>\u202fwill measure pollution of North America. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Major Accomplishments in 2021 <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Video: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=bw79tvdiARI\" rel=\"noopener\">We Did Some Amazing Things This Year at NASA<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"We Did Some Amazing Things This Year @ NASA \u2013 December 21, 2021\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/bw79tvdiARI?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>NASA\u2019s ambitious plans for 2022 seek to build on the successes of a remarkable 2021. On Feb. 18, NASA successfully landed the Perseverance rover on the surface of Mars. A few months later, teams piloted the\u202f<a href=\"https:\/\/mars.nasa.gov\/technology\/helicopter\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Ingenuity Mars Helicopter<\/a>\u202f\u2013 the first powered, controlled flight on another planet \u2013 while the <a href=\"https:\/\/mars.nasa.gov\/mars2020\/spacecraft\/instruments\/moxie\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">MOXIE<\/a> demonstration converted some of Mars\u2019 carbon dioxide-rich atmosphere into oxygen for the first time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Throughout 2021, the agency made significant headway in its plans to explore more of the Moon through Artemis. Teams completed\u202f<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/feature\/nasa-fully-stacked-for-moon-mission-readies-for-artemis-i\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">stacking<\/a>\u202fof the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft, which will enable astronauts to travel further into space than ever before. NASA also picked SpaceX to continue the development and demonstration of the first commercial\u202f<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/press-release\/as-artemis-moves-forward-nasa-picks-spacex-to-land-next-americans-on-moon\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">human lunar lander<\/a>, which will safely carry the next two American astronauts to the lunar surface. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And on Dec. 25, the most powerful space science telescope ever built, the James Webb Space Telescope,\u202f<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/press-release\/nasas-webb-telescope-launches-to-see-first-galaxies-distant-worlds\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">launched from French Guiana<\/a>. A joint effort with ESA (European Space Agency) and the Canadian Space Agency, the Webb observatory is NASA\u2019s revolutionary flagship mission to seek the light from the first galaxies in the early universe and to explore our own solar system, as well as planets orbiting other stars. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Join us as we to pioneer the future in space exploration, scientific discovery, and aeronautics research. Connect with us on\u202f<a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/nasa\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Facebook<\/a>,\u202f<a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/follow?source=followbutton&variant=1.0&screen_name=nasa\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Twitter<\/a>,\u202f<a href=\"http:\/\/instagram.com\/nasa\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Instagram<\/a>,\u202f<a href=\"http:\/\/www.twitch.tv\/nasa\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Twitch<\/a>, and our social media channels, or\u202f<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/newsletters\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">sign up<\/a>\u202fto receive the NASA.gov newsletter in your inbox.\u202f <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>After a 2021 filled with complex challenges and extraordinary successes, 2022 is shaping up to be another busy year for NASA.  Receiving the first images from the\u202fJames Webb Space Telescope, launching the first uncrewed Artemis mission around the Moon and back to Earth, sending NASA science and technology to the surface of the Moon on three missions with our commercial [...]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":59,"featured_media":75227,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nasa_hds_core_meta_l10n":"en-US","nasa_hds_core_meta_article_editor":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_article_contacts":[],"nasa_hds_core_meta_article_topic":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_linked_locations":[],"nasa_hds_core_meta_article_related_articles":[],"hds_migrate_meta_pr_release_id":"","hds_migrate_meta_pr_release_type":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_location_x":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_location_y":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_gallery_images":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[2735,2660,2681,3191,3228,9523,2736,3207,8609,3784,2659],"news-tags":[],"internal-terms":[11526,11531],"coauthors":[8617],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"NASA Looks Ahead in 2022: Artemis, X-59, Lunar Exploration, and 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Telescope (JWST)","Laser Communications Relay","Perseverance (Rover)","Space Launch System (SLS)"],"dateCreated":"2022-02-09T21:15:00Z","datePublished":"2022-02-09T21:15:00Z","dateModified":"2023-09-18T14:52:59Z"},"rendered":"<meta name=\"parsely-title\" content=\"NASA Looks Ahead in 2022: Artemis, X-59, Lunar Exploration, and More\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-link\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/missions\/station\/nasa-looks-ahead-in-2022-artemis-x-59-lunar-exploration-and-more\/\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-type\" content=\"post\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-image-url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/pia24542-perseverances-selfie-with-ingenuity-1041.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-pub-date\" content=\"2022-02-09T21:15:00Z\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-section\" content=\"Missions\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-tags\" content=\"The Universe,International Space Station (ISS),Aeronautics,Artemis,Commercial Crew,Earth,IXPE (Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer),James Webb Space Telescope (JWST),Laser Communications Relay,Perseverance (Rover),Space Launch System (SLS)\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-author\" content=\"Michael Bock\" \/>","tracker_url":"https:\/\/cdn.parsely.com\/keys\/nasa.gov\/p.js"},"read_time":6,"time_ago":"2 years","featured_image":{"id":75227,"file":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/pia24542-perseverances-selfie-with-ingenuity-1041.jpg","title":"pia24542-perseverances-selfie-with-ingenuity-1041","alt":"NASA\u2019s Perseverance Mars rover took a selfie with the Ingenuity helicopter, seen here about 13 feet (3.9 meters) from the 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