NASA Delays Moon Landing for Extra Test Flight

NASA announced a significant alteration to its astronaut return-to-the-moon pathway, introducing an extra crewed test flight before the lunar landing attempt. The mission previously known as Artemis III, initially set for a landing no earlier than 2028, will now be a separate endeavor. This new Artemis III will involve launching a crewed capsule to Earth orbit for docking with prototype lunar landers from SpaceX or Blue Origin, with a target launch in 2027.

The actual moon landing mission is now designated Artemis IV and remains scheduled for 2028, with NASA potentially aiming for two landings that year. Administrator Jared Isaacman framed this as an acceleration of Artemis missions, drawing parallels to the incremental steps of the Apollo program. However, oversight officials have expressed considerable doubt regarding the feasibility of these timelines.

This strategic shift occurs as NASA works to launch Artemis II, the first crewed flight test of the program. This mission, which will loop around the moon without landing, faced delays due to issues with the Space Launch System rocket, specifically hydrogen leaks and helium flow problems. Artemis II is now anticipated to launch no earlier than April, using the SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft but without a lunar lander.

The readiness of private sector lunar landers from SpaceX and Blue Origin continues to be a critical factor. SpaceX's Starship is still in early development, with prototypes experiencing failures during test flights. Blue Origin's more traditional lander design has not yet undergone a test flight. The Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel has voiced concerns about the emerging programmatic and technical risks associated with these lander systems, casting doubt on the current Artemis III timeline and mission goals.