Nasa is making significant changes to its Artemis program, announcing the addition of an extra mission before the anticipated lunar landings. This adjustment comes as the agency prepares to return humans to the Moon for the first time in 50 years.

Initially, the plan for Artemis II, scheduled for April 2024, was to orbit the Moon, followed by a lunar landing mission with Artemis III in 2028. However, the new directive will see Artemis III remain closer to Earth, with a mission planned for 2027 that involves a crew practicing docking with a lunar lander in low-Earth orbit.

Nasa has assured that this additional flight will not delay its goal of returning to the Moon, maintaining the target of 2028 for one or even two lunar landings through Artemis IV and V. Nasa administrator Jared Isaacman emphasized the necessity of this extra step to avoid long gaps between launches, stating, "I did not want such long gaps between launches."

The added flight to low-Earth orbit aims to test crucial technology before attempting a lunar landing. Isaacman elaborated, "You don't go from one uncrewed launch of SLS [Artemis I], wait three years, go around the Moon [Artemis II], wait three years and land on it." He advocates for sending the Orion capsule and the lunar lander into low-Earth orbit first to mitigate risks associated with landing on the Moon.

Isaacman further explained that testing integrated systems of the lander and Orion in low-Earth orbit is preferable to doing so on the lunar surface. He noted, "It's also an opportunity for us, maybe, to get our suits up there before the astronauts actually have to wear them on the surface of the Moon... this is all going to help take down risk for a subsequent landing."

Despite these advancements, Nasa's lunar plans face a significant challenge: the lunar lander that will transport astronauts to the Moon has yet to be selected. SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, holds a contract to develop the lander, which is set to be launched to the Moon aboard a SpaceX Starship rocket. However, delays in the Starship program have prompted Nasa to seek a revised, expedited plan from SpaceX for a quicker return to lunar exploration.

Additionally, Nasa has reached out to Blue Origin, the aerospace company founded by Jeff Bezos, to propose an accelerated plan for a lunar lander. Isaacman indicated that the Artemis III docking in low-Earth orbit might occur with either or both landers, reflecting Nasa's strategy to diversify its options.

The urgency for the United States to return to the Moon is underscored by China's ambitions, as the nation aims for a lunar landing by 2030 and has been making notable progress toward this goal. Both countries are targeting the Moon's south pole for their lunar bases, leading to a competitive race for prime landing locations.

Nasa also provided an update on the Artemis II mission, which will see four astronauts journey around the far side of the Moon and back to Earth. Originally scheduled for March, the launch was postponed due to a helium leak detected in the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket. The rocket has since been moved from the launchpad to the Vehicle Assembly Building at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida for repairs. The earliest launch opportunity is now projected for April, depending on the duration of the necessary technical work.

The new plans represent a considerable shift in Nasa's approach to the Artemis program, signaling a commitment to enhancing mission success through thorough preparation and risk reduction.

Source: Bbc News