달을 향한 인류의 거대한 도약, 그 이면의 치밀한 전략과 변화하는 우주 탐사의 풍경 > 뉴스

The core of Artemis' third mission is to postpone the originally planned manned lunar landing for a while and completely verify 'docking' and 'rendezvous', the most crucial technologies for future deep space exploration in low Earth orbit. The next-generation manned lunar landing system (HLS) being developed by Blue Origin and Space This is more than just a matter of connecting spacecraft, it is a process of creating an essential 'connection' to establish a supply route between the lunar surface and Earth, the success of which will determine the success or failure of the 4th Artemis mission in 2028. However, the recent explosion of a large launch vehicle at Blue Origin and the delay in Space

The list of four crew members who will lead this mission simultaneously reveals NASA's thorough pragmatism and will for international cooperation. This list, led by Commander Randy Bresnick and including Luca Parmitano, Frank Rubio, and Andre Douglas, is evaluated as a harmonious combination of the veteran's skill and the rookie's challenging spirit. In particular, the fact that Parmitano, a member of the European Space Agency (ESA), joined as a pilot suggests that the Artemis program is not an exclusive project of the United States, but is the initial stage of a 'global Starfleet' that brings together the technological capabilities and resources of the free camp. Additionally, the participation of experienced experts like Rubio, who has an incredible space stay record of 371 days, provides a glimpse into NASA's intention to maximize the ability to respond to unexpected variables in extreme situations. They are not simple explorers, but technical engineers who operate advanced systems, and will be tasked with laying the foundation for the gigantic task of building a future lunar base.

Meanwhile, along with technological progress, new paradigms are being rapidly introduced in space exploration to maximize safety and efficiency. The recent incident in which the crew of a U.S. Army Apache helicopter shot down by the Iranian military was rescued by the unmanned surface drone 'Corsair' was recorded as a major incident that rewrote the history of Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR). Instead of sending manned helicopters into dangerous areas where enemy threats are always present, using unmanned platforms to minimize casualties and control the situation is an important practical model that can be applied in future space exploration sites. These advances in unmanned and automated technology are also reflected in spacesuit design, and the cutting-edge spacesuit collaborated by Prada and Axiom Space is expected to dramatically reduce the physical burden of astronauts by being equipped with extreme cooling and ventilation functions. The unique combination of fashion and aerospace technology is the result of an effort to change space from being an isolated space to an environment where humans can engage in daily activities.

The controversy over the diversity of composition that emerged during the announcement of the third Artemis crew shows the conflict in the values ​​with which modern society views space development. NASA has stated that it only considered the optimal capabilities to complete the mission when selecting crew members, but some have expressed concern that the diversity factor has been reduced compared to before. In fact, changes in the political environment are having an indirect effect on space exploration projects, such as changes in NASA's internal policy after the Trump administration, such as revisions to diversity-related language. However, even amidst these controversies, what is clear is that on the grand stage of space, common technological achievements of humanity, beyond nationality, race, and gender, are prioritized above all else. Ultimately, space exploration faces the challenge of remaining a pure challenge to overcome the technological limitations facing humanity and create a foundation for sustainable life beyond Earth.