NASA must choose: continue Artemis while abandoning Boeing’s Lunar Gateway, or prioritize Mars, relying on Elon Musk and SpaceX.
Artemis
NASA’s Artemis mission to the Moon’s polar regions requires advanced boots to withstand extreme cold and prevent injury.
Ahead of NASA’s crewed Artemis II mission in 2026, its Lunar Trailblazer scouting mission will map the Moon’s surface water this year.
In December 2022, NASA’s Artemis I mission ended with Orion’s reentry revealing heat shield vulnerabilities, delaying future launches.
Trump’s victory puts the future of NASA’s SLS rocket in doubt, with Musk’s SpaceX lurking in the shadows and potentially big consequences for the Great Space Race.
China’s efficient lunar program, with firm timelines and advancing technology, positions it to potentially outpace and dominate the U.S. in returning to the Moon.
A series of promising lunar, Martian, and asteroid explorations are on tap for 2024, including NASA’s search for water on the moon.
Proposed budget amendment seeks additional $1.6b for design and development, but it may not be enough.