NASA postpones astronaut flight around the Moon

NASA has announced another delay in its plans to send astronauts back to the Moon. The space agency’s chief, Bill Nelson, confirmed that the second mission of the Artemis program is now scheduled for launch in April 2026, a shift from the original plan of a Moon flyby in September 2025. This marks a further delay from an earlier shift in timeline, which pushed the mission back from November of this year.

As a result, the first Moon landing will not happen until at least 2027, a year later than initially planned. The delay is necessary to address an issue with the capsule’s heat shield, which sustained significant damage during its previous test flight, showing excessive charring, erosion, and cracks.

Nelson emphasized the importance of astronaut safety, stating, “We do not fly until we are ready.” He explained that engineers had identified the problem and believe it can be resolved by adjusting the capsule’s re-entry trajectory, though further testing and evaluation will take time.

In the face of competition from China’s space agency, which also has plans to send astronauts to the Moon, Nelson expressed confidence that NASA’s Artemis program would reach the lunar surface first, with Artemis 3 now set for mid-2027. He called on NASA’s commercial and international partners to intensify efforts to meet this revised schedule, noting that China’s lunar mission is expected to take place in 2030.

This delay adds pressure on NASA, particularly regarding the development of its Space Launch System (SLS), which has faced criticism for being expensive and slow. In contrast, Elon Musk’s SpaceX has made rapid progress on its own Starship rocket, which is intended to be a cheaper, reusable alternative.

The nomination of Jared Isaacman, a billionaire and close associate of Musk, to potentially replace Nelson as NASA’s administrator has fueled concerns that major changes may be in store for the Moon program. Isaacman, known for funding private space missions with Musk’s company, may bring a more entrepreneurial approach to NASA, which could impact the direction of the Artemis program. Dr. Simeon Barber, a space scientist, noted that the SLS’s high cost and slow development could put NASA at a disadvantage, especially with pressure to reduce costs under the incoming administration.