Artemis Moon Program: NASA plans additional launch next year
NASA now also wants to launch a mission to the moon in 2027, but the crew will not land there yet. This could happen twice in 2028.
The NASA rocket SLS with the Orion capsule
(Image: NASA/Sam Lott)
NASA is restructuring the Artemis moon program and wants to launch an additional mission next year, which does not involve a moon landing. This is now planned for 2028, but will be part of Artemis-4, not Artemis-3, the US space agency announced. It is possible that Artemis-5 could even be launched in the same year. Next year, the Orion space capsule is to be coupled in space with one or even two lunar landers from the space companies SpaceX and Blue Origin for extensive testing. In addition, the new spacesuits are to be used under real conditions. Overall, this also means that the giant SLS (Space Launch System) rocket is to be launched more often than previously planned.
China is increasing pressure
NASA presented the revised plans on Friday at a press conference that was actually supposed to be about Artemis-2. On the second mission of the Artemis program, humans are to fly to the moon for the first time in over 50 years, but they will only orbit it. Due to a helium leak discovered during the dress rehearsal, the rocket had to be returned to the huge Vehicle Assembly Building, where the cause is being investigated. It is unclear how long this will take, but a new attempt will be made no earlier than April. If the launch is successful, NASA intends to initiate annual flights to the moon.
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The significantly higher pace of the USA's return to the moon is also justified by the new NASA chief, Jared Isaacman, by the “credible competition from our greatest geopolitical adversary”, referring to China. The People's Republic's space program is becoming increasingly ambitious.
First, however, Artemis-2 is scheduled, with the launch originally planned for February 6. However, this could no longer be met. The crew consists of Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch from NASA, as well as Canadian Jeremy Hansen. On their ten-day flight, they are to first orbit the Earth and then accelerate towards the Earth's moon. Four days are allocated for the flight there. In early April, the rocket could be launched on several days; the currently last launch window opens on April 30.
(mho)
