Launched in 2017, the Artemis program aims to establish a sustainable human presence on the Moon as a springboard for future exploration of Mars. Its inaugural mission, Artemis 1, was an uncrewed test flight to the Moon and back, carried out in 2022 after multiple delays.

The United States has delayed its timetable for returning to the Moon, pushing back the Artemis 3 mission from 2026 to mid-2027. The decision, announced by NASA officials on Thursday (Dec. 6), comes as the agency addresses issues with the Orion crew capsule’s heat shield and other technical issues.

Launched in 2017, the Artemis program aims to establish a sustainable human presence on the Moon as a springboard for future exploration of Mars. Its inaugural mission, Artemis 1, was an uncrewed test flight to the Moon and back, carried out in 2022 after multiple delays.

Challenges with Orion

Post-flight analyzes of Artemis 1 revealed unexpected erosion of Orion’s heat shield, as well as problems in its electrical and life support systems. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson explained that engineers identified the root cause of the heat shield problem and found a solution. “The safety of our astronauts is always our first decision,” Nelson stressed.

Revised schedule

Artemis 2: Initially scheduled for September 2025, this mission, which will carry a crew but will not involve a moon landing, is now set for April 2026.

Artemis 3: The mission to land astronauts, including the first woman and first person of color, on the Moon’s south pole is postponed until mid-2027. Nelson noted that this new timeline still puts the United States ahead of China’s stated goal of a moon landing by 2030.

NASA’s progress also depends on the readiness of SpaceX’s Starship rocket, which will serve as a lunar lander. Although SpaceX has made significant progress, the vehicle still requires rigorous testing, particularly for its on-orbit refueling capability. Additionally, the spacesuits for the mission, designed by Axiom Space, are still under development.

Potential changes under new leadership

The announcement coincides with preparations by President-elect Donald Trump’s administration that could significantly change NASA’s direction. Trump nominated billionaire and private astronaut Jared Isaacman to lead the agency.

Experts believe the new administration may consider canceling the costly Space Launch System (SLS) rocket or redirecting resources from lunar missions to focus on Mars exploration.

Despite the delays, NASA remains committed to Artemis as a cornerstone of its long-term vision for space exploration. Nelson reassured that missions would not continue until all safety measures were carefully considered. The agency is determined to maintain its leadership in space exploration, even as challenges persist.

ALSO READ: Has Brian Thompson’s killer finally been identified? Suspect used New Jersey driver’s license to check into hostel