Nasa Postpones Plans to Send Humans to Moon
Nasa has postponed its plans to send humans to the moon after delays hit its Artemis program, which aims to return to the lunar surface for the first time in fifty years.
Artemis III Mission Delayed
Nasa has announced that the Artemis III mission, which plans to land four astronauts near the lunar south pole, will be delayed by a year until September 2026.
Additionally, Artemis II, a 10-day mission to test life support systems by sending a crew around the moon and back, will also be pushed back to September 2025.
Challenges and Partnerships
Nasa cited development challenges associated with the Artemis program as the reason for the delays.
The program partners with private companies like SpaceX and Lockheed Martin, utilizing some cutting-edge spacecraft and technology that are still largely untested.
Long-Term Human Presence in Space
The US aims to establish a long-term human presence outside of Earth's orbit, including the construction of a lunar base camp and a space station that orbits the moon.
By returning to the moon first, Washington plans to gain valuable insights about deep space before embarking on a mission to Mars.
Private Companies and Delays
The delays in the Artemis program also provide more time for private companies, such as Axiom Space and SpaceX, to develop their technology.
SpaceX, in particular, is responsible for developing a lunar lander and is currently testing its Starship system, the largest and most powerful rocket ever made.
