NASA’s Plan to Return to the Moon

Summary

NASA is preparing Artemis II, a crewed lunar flyby to test systems for returning humans to the moon. The program faces cost and schedule criticism, with later Artemis landings dependent on unfinished hardware. NASA is leaning more on commercial partners and aims to land humans by 2028 and build lunar base elements by 2030, amid strategic competition with China.

• NASA's Artemis II mission will send four astronauts on a lunar flyby, the first crewed trip around the moon in over 50 years.
• The mission is a dress rehearsal for Artemis III, testing Orion and other systems needed for deep-space crewed flight.
• Artemis has cost roughly $93 billion from 2012 to 2025 and faces criticism over delays, budget overruns, and long-term sustainability.
• Artemis III and later missions depend on lunar landers and other hardware that remain under development.
• NASA is shifting more work to commercial companies and aims for a crewed lunar landing by 2028 and a lunar base start by 2030.
• Congressional support remains strong because Artemis programs are spread across many states and create jobs.
• New NASA leadership frames lunar return as a strategic race with China and emphasizes scientific, economic, and national-security value.