The spring of 2022 has been full of milestone events in our space program. We celebrated the 50thanniversary of Apollo 16 on April 16, then witnessed the first-ever private crewed mission to the International Space Station (ISS), Axiom Mission 1, launch on April 7. Then, soon after on April 27, the next mission from the Commercial Crew Program, Crew-4, left Earth.
Here is a snapshot of what has been going on from right here at Kennedy Space Center, America’s multi-user spaceport.
SLS Rollout
On March 16, 2022, NASA rolled out the massive Space Launch System (SLS) rocket from the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) to begin its journey to Launch Complex 39B.Almost 11 hours later, Artemis I, the rocket’s inaugural mission, was on the pad.Though physically smaller than the massive Saturn V Moon rocket, SLS will be the most powerful rocket to ever fly. Powerful enough to one day send astronauts on their way to Mars. The rocket remained on the pad for more than a month, so for the first time in many years, two space vehicles could be seen on Launch Complex 39 at the same time! On April 26, SLS was rolled back to the VAB for necessary repairs and updates.
Crewed Missions to the ISS
April 2022 brought two crewed launches to Kennedy Space Center.Axiom Space’sAxiom Mission 1launched April 8, 2022. The mission sent the first-ever all-private crew to the International Space Station. There, the crew conducted scientific research and investigations aboard the ISS. Experiments touched topics like human cancer stem cell studies for early detection; an air purification device called the Japan Manned Space Systems Corporation (JAMSS); and self-assembly for different in-space construction called TESSERAE (Tessellated Electromagnetic Space Structures for the Exploration of Reconfigurable, Adaptive Environments).The crew splashed down safety after their mission on April 25, 2022.
Photo Credit: Axiom Space
As part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, SpaceX sent Crew-4 up to the ISS in the early hours of April 27, 2022. The crew of four includes NASA astronauts Kjell Lindgren, Robert Hines, and Jessica Watkins, and Italian astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency.Watkins is making history as the first black woman to be a part of the International Space Station crew. During their mission, they will be a part of more than 200 science investigations. Many of this research will be to further the understanding and preparation for human deep space travel. Some topics include studies on immune systems as they age, and possible cardiorespiratory effects during and after long exposure to a microgravity environment. Crew-4 is expected to return back to Earth this fall, but you can stay up to date on their mission on the Crew-4 blog.
50th Anniversary of Apollo 16
Finally, we also recently honored the 50th anniversary of Apollo 16 as part of the ongoing Apollo 50 celebrations. Apollo 16 marked the first time an Apollo crew landed in the central lunar highlands, as well as conducted the first space walk during the return to Earth. Listen as Apollo 16 astronaut Charlie Duke has a little fun and shares another record that the Apollo 16 crew holds—most bowel movements!
VIDEO: https://youtu.be/1qjhmwz3INg
The Apollo 50 celebrations, which began in October 2018, concludes in December 2022 with Apollo 17’s 50th anniversary. It is exciting to reflect and honor the past Moon missions while preparing for humanity’s return to the Moon in the near future.
With so much going on these days, it is likely you will see something out of the ordinary during your visit. To begin planning your next trip, we recommend you visit the Event Calendar to see wha tis planned for the year so far.
Explore the Calendar