Astronauts haven’t stepped on the moon since 1972. That year, NASA’s Eugene Cernan and Harrison “Jack” Schmitt spent three days on the lunar surface, making history during the Apollo 17 mission. Since then, we’ve looked to the moon only from a distance. But soon, that will change. NASA is gearing up for its Artemis program, and the first crewed mission, named Artemis 2, is set for 2026. This mission will take astronauts on a ten-day journey around the moon, allowing them to witness its beauty up close once again.
After Artemis 1 launched an uncrewed Orion spacecraft in late 2022, NASA faced delays. Issues with the Orion’s heat shield pushed plans back, first to 2024 and then to 2026. The plan is for Artemis to establish a permanent presence on the moon, which will serve as a stepping stone for missions to Mars and beyond.
There’s a lot of buzz about when the U.S. will finally get boots on the moon again. The race to the lunar south pole, believed to hold resources like water ice, is heating up with China moving quickly as well. Discussions in U.S. Congress recently highlighted concerns over slow progress in Artemis and the possibility of China reaching the moon first.
The current plan ties Artemis missions to NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and a lunar lander developed by SpaceX. However, doubts about SLS’s $4 billion-per-launch cost and reliability have been raised. Critics note that in the time it took for SLS to be developed, SpaceX evolved its technology significantly, including reusable rockets that cut costs. A recent survey found that 65% of industry leaders favor more flexible, affordable launch options over traditional methods.
SLS’s development has taken more than a decade and cost nearly $50 billion. Meanwhile, SpaceX has been busy refining its Starship model, which is crucial for Artemis 3 scheduled for 2027. However, recent reports indicate that Starship might face its own delays, pushing that timeline to 2028.
Recent criticisms from experts like former NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine point to a potential gap in U.S. lunar ambitions. In a Senate hearing, he stressed, “Unless something changes, it’s unlikely the U.S. will beat China to the moon.” With both countries eyeing the same targeted regions for resources, the space race is more than just exploration; it’s about national security.
NASA’s acting administrator has even hinted at reopening contracts for the lunar lander, considering alternatives like Blue Origin’s Blue Moon system. This evolving landscape indicates a growing urgency among lawmakers to maintain American leadership in space.
As for Artemis 2, it will be the first to carry humans since the Apollo missions. The crew includes Reid Wiseman as commander, Victor Glover as pilot, and Christina Koch along with Canadian Jeremy Hansen as specialists. They have spent years training for this mission.
The Artemis 2 mission holds promise not only for moon exploration but also for scientific research, including studies on the effects of space travel on the human body. Much has changed since Apollo, and this mission may even set new records for distance from Earth.
This mission marks a significant return for humanity beyond low Earth orbit. The stakes are high, not just for exploration but for representing a renewed commitment to space. As we countdown to 2026, one thing is clear: the new era of lunar exploration is on the horizon, and it will be history in the making.
