The Artemis Challenge: Another Revolution in Structural Dynamics

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is embarking on an exciting evolution in human exploration and spaceflight. Space Policy Directive (SPD) 1 provides the overarching narrative for returning humans to the Moon and then to Mars. We are challenged to “Lead an innovative and sustainable program with commercial and international partners to enable human expansion across the solar system and to bring back to Earth new knowledge and opportunities. Beginning with missions beyond low Earth orbit, the United States will lead the return of humans to the Moon for long-term exploration and utilization, followed by human missions to Mars and other destinations…” Here we explore some of the key technical challenges that this new era of human exploration brings with a focus on the challenges and opportunities in the structural dynamics discipline.