Artemis III Crew Announced: Testing Lunar Landers in Orbit
NASA has announced the crew for the Artemis III mission, slated to test lunar landers in low Earth orbit (LEO) before the planned lunar landing in 2027. The crew includes three American astronauts and European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Luca Parmitano, who will serve as the pilot. This mission marks a significant step in NASA's Artemis programme, aiming to return humans to the Moon.
Close Approaches in Orbit
Several close approaches between satellites have been recorded, with the most notable involving OBJECT A and OBJECT B, which passed within approximately 0.81 km of each other. Such events highlight the increasing congestion in low Earth orbit, where the majority of the 28,363 active satellites reside. The Debris Map on Orbital Radar provides a detailed view of these interactions and helps track potential collision risks.
What to Watch
While there are no launches scheduled for today, space enthusiasts can anticipate future events by consulting the Launch Schedule on Orbital Radar. Additionally, the Artemis III mission, planned for 2027, will be a pivotal moment in lunar exploration, with its crew testing vital technologies in orbit.
Active Satellites and Debris
As of today, there are 28,363 active satellites, with the majority operating in low Earth orbit. The United States leads with 12,221 satellites, followed by Russia and China. The debris environment remains a concern, with 8,611 pieces of tracked debris. The Satellite Library offers comprehensive data on these objects.
