Nasa Postpones Planned Mission to Send Astronauts Back to the Moon

NASA has announced that US astronauts will not be able to walk on the Moon again until at least September 2026. This represents a one-year delay from the previously targeted date for the return, which was last achieved in 1972. NASA attributes the delay to the need for further technology development. The agency currently lacks a spacecraft to transport astronauts to the Moon and lacks spacesuits for them to wear. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson emphasized that safety is the driving factor behind the timing considerations. Additionally, the precursor mission known as Artemis II, in which four astronauts will fly around the Moon without landing, has also been pushed back to September 2025. Concerns regarding the installation of a life-support system and the behavior of the heatshield have contributed to the delays. The biggest challenge for NASA is securing a landing craft for the Artemis III mission, which will be provided by Elon Musk's SpaceX company. However, SpaceX must first demonstrate the capabilities of their new Starship vehicle through an uncrewed mission to the Moon. This will require multiple launches to fuel the craft before it can reach the Moon and land. While the timeline remains uncertain, NASA is working closely with contractors to establish a realistic date for the Artemis III mission. Dates for the Artemis IV and V missions, set for 2028 and 2029 respectively, have not been affected by the delays. These missions will involve the first astronaut flight to the Gateway lunar space station and the introduction of a second landing system called Blue Moon, developed by Jeff Bezos' space company.