Fly me to the Moon: Nasa to send space fans' names on Artemis mission

You will receive a 'boarding pass' featuring your name and details for space flight once you register

The massive Artemis I rocket atop a mobile launch platform en route to Launch Pad 39B from the Vehicle Assembly Building at the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. AFP

Space enthusiasts have the chance to etch their names in history as Nasa launches a new era of lunar exploration.

The US space agency is involving the public in its Artemis programme by promising to fly their name around the Moon.

As Artemis 1 is an uncrewed mission, this is the closest one can get to being part of an exciting new chapter in the space race.

People can submit their details on a dedicated website and receive a “boarding pass” for the six-week journey, set to take place in May

The Orion spacecraft will lift-off on top of the Space Launch System, the world’s most powerful rocket, and fly into the lunar orbit.

'The National' reporter Sarwat Nasir receives her boarding pass for the Artemis 1 flight. Photo: Nasa website

It will spend about six days in the Moon’s orbit collecting data, so mission control can assess its performance.

The 101-metre rocket was rolled out to the launch pad at Florida’s Kennedy Space Centre for the first time last week.

It is being tested before launch in a process called a wet dress rehearsal, where it will be fuelled with millions of litres of ultra-cold propellants.

Flight engineers will also run through a launch countdown that will end before ignition time.

The rehearsal is to ensure the 2,608-tonne rocket is ready for lift-off.

Eight things to know about Nasa’s Moon rocket Space Launch System

Joining Nasa's Artemis Accords will help UAE send first Emirati to Moon

Crewed missions to the Moon are also part of the programme, with the first one scheduled for 2024.

A crew of four will perform a lunar flyby for 21 days as part of the Artemis 2 flight.

It will be the first time humans have reached the Moon since the long-standing Apollo programme.

Artemis 3, which was delayed until 2025, involves a crewed lunar landing mission. It will include the first woman and person of colour to set foot on the Moon.

Updated: March 22, 2022, 1:19 PM