A report released Thursday by the Government Accountability Office stated that the first Artemis moon landing in 2025 is “unlikely” due to a fast-track schedule, coupled with delays in developing SpaceX’s moon lander and Axiom spacesuits. The report suggests that, based on past experiences, a delay to 2027 could be anticipated.
Despite progress in completing significant milestones, NASA and its contractors still face challenges with the development of the human landing system and spacesuits. The GAO found that the Artemis III crewed lunar landing is improbable in 2025. NASA aims to develop its moon landing system more than a year faster than the average for major projects, but the report deems this unrealistic.
The official Artemis III launch target is late 2025, but NASA is already reconsidering the flight schedule. While the agency has not announced any changes, officials have raised the possibility of “repurposing” the mission if a moon landing isn’t feasible in the near term.
The Artemis program aims to return astronauts to the moon for the first time since 1972. Lockheed Martin-built Orion capsules, launched atop NASA’s Space Launch System, are set to carry U.S. and partner-agency astronauts. An initial test flight (Artemis I) was successful in November, with Artemis II planned for late 2024 or early 2025.
The Artemis III mission intends to carry four astronauts to lunar orbit, where they will rendezvous with SpaceX’s Human Landing System (HLS). The HLS, a variant of SpaceX’s Starship rocket, received a $2.9 billion contract from NASA in April 2021. Axiom Space-designed spacesuits will be used by astronauts on the moon’s surface.
However, the GAO highlighted challenges, including delays in the integrated Super Heavy-Starship rocket test flights and limited progress by SpaceX in maturing the technologies needed for the lunar landing mission. The report also pointed out challenges faced by Axiom Space, such as addressing NASA’s requirements for emergency oxygen supply and potential delays in spacesuit delivery.
In conclusion, the GAO suggests that the Artemis III lunar landing in 2025 is unlikely, and a delay to 2027 could be expected based on the challenges faced in the development of the human landing system and spacesuits.
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