Last week, NASA announced plans to put the first woman on the Moon by 2024, securing an extra $1.6 bln to help complete the task.
Dubbed “Artemis”, the mission, named after the Greek god Apollo’s twin sister, will see man return to the Moon with a woman at his side, with both male and female astronauts leading the team, according to NASA.
NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine waxed lyrical, announcing the new mission’s name on 13 May after NASA released its updated budget request for a landed moon mission by 2024.
He said he hoped the historic mission would inspire a new generation of young girls to work in the space industry.
“I think it is very beautiful that 50 years after Apollo, the Artemis programme will carry the next man and the first woman to the Moon,” the NASA chief said “I have a daughter who is 11 years old, and I want her to be able to see herself in the same role as the next women that go to the Moon.”