On the 22nd of April, G.H.Scientific’s Gheeks by the Fireside held its first episode of the year. Hosted by Dr Thomas Tagoe, the episode was centered on the Artemis II mission and what the return to space means for Africa. The guest for the episode was Dr Linus Kweku Labik, a KNUST physics teacher who diverted to astrophysics and helped to build the school’s new astrophysics programme.
Journey of Artemis
With the help of Artemis II, NASA plans to put humans on the moon, but as a stepping stone to Mars. Artemis I took flight in 2022 with mannequins as a test of the Orion’s capsule. Artemis II came after with 4 astronauts: 3 Americans and a Canadian on its first crewed test. Artemis III is expected between 2027 and 2028, to land astronauts on the surface of the moon once again.
Why Return to the Moon After 1969
Dr Ladak explained that when humans went to the moon during the Apollo missions, it was first to plant a flag, collect rocks and leave. However Artemis mission is designed to sustain human presence on the lunar surface. Just like the astronauts on the International Space Station, the Artemis mission plans to have astronauts travel around the moon for two weeks or more — learning how to live off planet and training for the journey to Mars.
The Moon’s hidden superpower
Dr Ladak also highlighted that there has been confirmation of water ice at the moon’s south pole. Since water can be split into hydrogen and oxygen, it will make the Mars journey cheaper. This is because oxygen will be used for breathing while the hydrogen serves as rocket fuel for the astronauts and the moon becomes an energy source.
What did Artemis do up there
Aside the news of humans being on the moon, Artemis II was focused on experiments that could not be run on earth. Bone marrow samples were exposed to radiation levels that far surpassed those of Earth’s magnetic field. There was also trial for a radiation technique to bring the crew back home while monitoring its environmental systems. The data will be made available globally.
Where Does Africa Come In?
It was pointed out that Africa seems to lag behind when it comes to investing in space due to food, security, education and healthcare gaps. However, Africans are making use of space science already. From weather forecasting to GPS vehicular tracking as well as satellite based internet services startups are largely dependent on technology orbiting miles above the earth.
Ghana has taken a leap with her first satellite which was launched in 2017 by students of the All Nations University. It was launched at the International Space Station and now serves for the GhanaSat-1 which is now in development.
Another important aspect of the Artemis programme is international collaboration. Unlike earlier space missions that were dominated by a single country, Artemis brings together multiple space agencies and private organizations from around the world. This creates opportunities for knowledge sharing, technological development and economic growth beyond traditional space powers.
For African countries, this presents a chance to participate through research, satellite development, data analysis and education. By investing in STEM fields and encouraging innovation among young people, African nations can position themselves to benefit from the expanding global space economy. This shift highlights that space exploration is no longer just about prestige, but also about practical development and long-term sustainability for all nations.
The Real takeaway
The Artemis mission is more about proving that humans can exist outside of earth it does not belong to one nation. The question the country to next mission has already been asked what role do we want to play in it.