NASA is revamping its Artemis Moon program to ensure American astronauts can return to the Moon by 2028, planning to add more flights between Artemis 2 and the final lunar landing.
NASA, the United States space agency, announced on Friday that it is overhauling its Artemis Moon program to ensure that American astronauts can return to the Moon by 2028. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman stated that the goal is to increase the number of space flights between the upcoming Artemis 2 lunar mission and the ultimate mission that aims for a lunar landing. The strategy is intended to enhance the functionality of launches through improved "muscle memory" during these missions.
The Artemis program has faced numerous delays, with the Artemis 2 lunar flight already postponed twice this year and not scheduled to take place next month either. The upcoming Artemis 2 mission will last ten days, involving a four-member crew who will orbit the Moon but not land. Upon its return to Earth, the Orion spacecraft is set to land in the Pacific Ocean, marking a significant moment as it will be the first crewed mission to the Moon since 1972.
This revamped program underscores NASA's commitment to overcoming previous setbacks and pushing the boundaries of space exploration. As the agency strives to meet its timeline, the added flights may serve to test and solidify the technologies needed for future lunar missions, aiming for a sustainable human presence on the Moon in the coming years.
