This week, the mission safely returns to Earth. September 8, 2023 - NASA

As of my last knowledge update in September 2021, NASA, the United States' space agency, has been actively involved in numerous crewed space missions. One of the most prominent recent initiatives has been the Artemis program. Here's a short note on NASA's Space Crew missions:

Artemis Program: Returning to the Moon

NASA's Artemis program aims to land "the first woman and the next man" on the Moon by the mid-2020s, with a focus on sustainable lunar exploration. It seeks to establish a sustainable human presence on the Moon as a stepping stone for future crewed missions to Mars.

Key components of the Artemis program include:
Space Launch System (SLS): NASA is developing the SLS, a powerful new rocket capable of carrying astronauts and cargo beyond Earth's orbit.

Orion Spacecraft: The Orion spacecraft is designed to transport astronauts to lunar orbit and back to Earth safely. It's an integral part of the Artemis missions.

Gateway: NASA plans to build a lunar Gateway, a space station in lunar orbit, which will serve as a staging point for lunar missions and facilitate international collaboration.

Lunar Surface Missions: Crewed missions will land on the lunar surface using lunar landers, conducting scientific research and technology demonstrations.

Artemis Team: NASA is actively selecting astronauts for the Artemis program, with a focus on diversity and including the first woman and the next man on the lunar surface.

International Partnerships: NASA is working with international partners, including the European Space Agency (ESA), to achieve its lunar exploration goals.

Sustainability: Unlike the Apollo missions, which were short-term endeavors, Artemis aims for a sustainable presence on the Moon, laying the groundwork for future deep space exploration, including Mars.