‘Earth’s first starfleet’: Nasa reveals Artemis III crew and project’s next steps

Jared Isaacman, the Nasa administrator, hailed the creation of “Earth’s first starfleet” on Tuesday as he revealed the Artemis III crew and details of the next stages of the space agency’s project to return humans to the moon. An Italian astronaut, Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency (ESA), will be the pilot of the planned two-week mission to lower Earth orbit next year that will test lunar landers from private companies Blue Origin and SpaceX. Three Americans, Andrew Douglas, Frank Rubio and Randy Bresnik, form the rest of the all-male crew of four paving the way for the planned first human lunar landing in 66 years on Artemis IV in 2028. “We wish you Godspeed on the journey ahead, you carry the fire of exploration from generations past, the confidence of this agency, and the support of this nation, and the dreams of millions who will be cheering you on,” Isaacman said during the event at Houston’s Johnsn space center. The Nasa chief also listed the numerous rockets, capsules, landers and support spacecraft that will be needed for the two-week test flight, the subsequent construction of a permanent moon base , and future exploration missions including Artemis IV set for 2028 that will see the first crewed lunar touchdown since 1972. …