NASA’s next mission to the Moon will be called Artemis, the US space agency has announced, asking for an additional US$ 1.6 billion to make the journey happen by its accelerated 2024 deadline.

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said the mission was named Artemis after the Greek mythological goddess of the Moon and twin sister to Apollo, namesake of the programme that sent 12 American astronauts to the Moon between 1969 and 1972.