NASA adds new missions to the Artemis program in competition with China

LootboxPhobia · 2026-02-27T18:45:59+00:00

NASA announces significant adjustments to the Artemis lunar landing program, adding a 2027 Earth orbit testing mission to ensure readiness for human landing in 2028. This new mission will test spacecraft docking capabilities and impact the contract with Boeing. Meanwhile, China is also actively promoting its lunar landing plans.

LootboxPhobia

2026-02-27 18:45:59

Abstract generation in progress

Investing.com - NASA announced on Friday a major adjustment to its Artemis lunar landing program, adding a new mission planned for 2027. This mission will test spacecraft docking procedures in Earth orbit before attempting to land astronauts on the Moon for the first time in over 50 years.

This new Artemis mission is one of several changes to NASA’s flagship lunar program, as China advances its goal of landing astronauts on the Moon by 2030. U.S. security experts say NASA needs additional testing before executing the crewed Artemis IV mission, scheduled for 2028.

The updated Artemis III mission will involve the Orion spacecraft carrying astronauts, demonstrating its ability to dock with one or two lunar landers in low Earth orbit. This docking process is a critical step in the agency’s lunar landing plan.

NASA also canceled plans to upgrade its Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, instead focusing on increasing the production and launch frequency of the rocket, which has been slower compared to newer rockets. This decision affected a roughly $2 billion contract with Boeing to build a more powerful upper stage for the SLS, which has now been canceled.

SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, and Blue Origin, led by Jeff Bezos, are each developing lunar landers for the program. Both companies are competing to become the first to land NASA astronauts on the Moon. Boeing and Northrop Grumman are building the space launch system, which will carry the Orion crew capsule manufactured by Lockheed Martin, transporting astronauts to a lunar lander before the Moon landing.

The new mission provides NASA with additional practice opportunities before executing the more complex lunar landing planned for Artemis III. The agency launched uncrewed tests of the SLS and Orion in 2022 and plans to launch Artemis II in April, which will carry four astronauts on a lunar flyby and return mission.

This article was translated with the assistance of artificial intelligence. For more information, see our Terms of Use.

View Original

This page may contain third-party content, which is provided for information purposes only (not representations/warranties) and should not be considered as an endorsement of its views by Gate, nor as financial or professional advice. See Disclaimer for details.

1 Likes