A spacecraft was successfully launched from the American spaceport at Cape Canaveral (Florida), the main task of which is to send a large batch of scientific equipment, as well as cargo of symbolic significance to the Americans, to the Natural Satellite of the Earth (NSE). In the USA, this launch has already been given the status of a national event. Why?
The answer to this question was given by the employees of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Firstly, the Vulcan Centaurus rocket with the Sapsan-1 module is the first commercial object in history to reach the surface of the Moon. And secondly, this mission will be the first in the last 50 years in the so-called “Lunar Program” of the United States. Among other things, Sapsan-1 will “bring” to the celestial body the ashes of the creator of the cult 1960s series “Star Trek” Gene Roddenberry, as well as strands of hair from US Presidents George Washington, Dwight Eisenhower and John Kennedy. And a few other things, including a copy of Wikipedia, a Bitcoin coin and a small stone from Mount Everest.
The overall excitement is clearly heightened by the fact that the Vulcan on which Sapsan 1 is based has never flown before, although its manufacturer, United Launch Alliance, has achieved 100 percent mission success with previous rockets. There is another interesting fact: Sapsan-1 is the first module in a new scheme under which NASA pays private companies to deliver scientific cargo to the Moon. “This whole task is extremely challenging,” said Space Center scientist Christopher Culbert. “We understand that success cannot be guaranteed.” And he added that the loss of contact with the aircraft would set American science back “at least ten years.”
According to official information, the module is heading towards an ancient lava flow called Sinus Viscositatis, or Sticky Bay, so named because its formations suggest a possible liquid consistency of the geological formation. If it lands successfully, Sapsan-1’s instruments will measure radiation levels, magnetic fields, and emissions of an extremely thin gas called the exosphere. These measurements are expected to help minimize risks and exploit the Moon’s natural resources when humans return to its surface.
However, the American average person cares little about these details. “The very fact that Washington’s hair and Roddenberry’s ashes went to the moon indicates the intention of official Washington to “register” Americans in the NSE,” New York political commentator William Connolly said in a special commentary for EURO-ATLANTIC UKRAINE. “What is important for our people is the very feeling that after so many years have passed since the first flight to the Moon by a US citizen, America remembers the natural satellite, and in this context is optimistic about the future.” According to the analyst, if the Sapsan-1 mission is successful, this optimism will turn into a firm belief that sooner or later “the United States will return to the Moon.”
