NASA specified deadlines landing astronauts on an asteroid

NASA has confirmed the launch of a new term ARM mission (Asteroid Redirect Mission), involving the capture of the giant asteroid sample and transporting it to the lunar orbit. On it informs edition NASASpaceFlight.

Running ARM is scheduled for December 2021, and the landing of astronauts on an asteroid fragment - in the 2026-th. The most likely candidate for the implementation of the support of super-heavy rocket is developed by SLS (Space Launch System). Together with ARM to an asteroid is planned to send a payload of about 50 kilograms, created by partners.

In February, it was decided to postpone the ARM missions. In March it was reported that the landing astronauts can be assigned to 2026 (originally planned for it in the 2023-m).

ARM's mission includes sending a spacecraft to the asteroid and transportation with the help of a fragment of lunar orbit. A fragment of the asteroid in the future should be using manned spacecraft Orion astronauts visit. ARM's mission entails a flight to Mars technology.