Excitement is growing among space fanatics as we near NASA’s next lunar-focused mission, marking a return to the moon. 

The Artemis I test flight is scheduled for an August 29 launch, where a data-gathering mannequin dubbed Commander Moonikin Camposis will be sent into space.

Commander Moonikin Campos was installed into @NASA_Orion ahead of the launch of #Artemis I. Named after Arturo Campos, a man who was instrumental to saving the Apollo 13 crew, he will measure vibrations and accelerations that future @NASAArtemis astronauts will experience. pic.twitter.com/jBJNYps1hl

— NASA's Exploration Ground Systems (@NASAGroundSys) July 27, 2022

“Before we put a human on there, they obviously want to make sure everything is fine and safe and working well,” astrophysicist Brad Tucker told Laurel, Gary & Mark.

“It will go around the moon, do a couple of loops and then come back to Earth.”

Dr Tucker said if the first launch is successful, the mission can continue with humans onboard.

Press PLAY below to hear why NASA has a renewed interest in the moon

Image: NASA / Twitter