NASA has, in recent years, hit on an interesting way to get humanity involved in various space projects. It was done with the Parker solar probe. It’s happening again for the upcoming Artemis 1 mission. Space fans, or just people who want to be part of something gigantic, can send part of themselves around the moon.
Best of all, it’s considerably cheaper than Jeff Bezos or Richard Branson money to send you to the edge of space. All that’s required is an online form, and you’ll be part of history. Not an especially bulky part, but that’s kind of the point.
All aboard Artemis 1!
We’re getting ready for #Artemis I — and we want to take you with us.
Add your name to the upcoming mission and it will be flown aboard the @NASA_Orion spacecraft as it orbits the Moon: https://t.co/DBmI3axfyH pic.twitter.com/KnoQaiyJcj
— NASA Artemis (@NASAArtemis) March 2, 2022
NASA intends to send a list of names on a flash drive on the Artemis 1 mission that aims to send a spacecraft around the moon. That mission will be unmanned, except perhaps in spirit. The spirit of every single weirdo on the internet who is interested enough to sign up. That’s not going to cause awkward questions when aliens find the derelict floating in space centuries from now. Not at all.
Artemis 1 might be uncrewed, but it’s a serious test for NASA all the same. It’ll demonstrate the capabilities of the Space Launch System (SLS) as well as the Orion spacecraft. It’s also the precursor to more manned missions to the moon, for the first time in about 50 years. This time, instead of driving disposable dune buggies and collecting rocks, the aim is to build a place for (very) intrepid humans to stay for a while. That’s right, humanity is exploring building its own moon bases. Finally! The future Austin Powers promised us is just about here.
And you can get involved. To make your mark on the Artemis 1 mission, all you need to do is hit up NASA’s website, enter your details in the form, and choose a PIN code. After that, your boarding pass is just a download away. And your name will live on a flash drive on the Orion craft as it pops around the Moon to prove a point. The mission’s launch window opens on 17 March. Assuming no delays, that is, so get your submission in early.