#lunar-exploration

#lunar-exploration

Artemis 2 aims to test several crucial systems, such as astronaut life support, which will be used on the Artemis 3 mission, scheduled to land on the Moon in 2027. The program's goal, said Hawkins, is to maintain a continuous human presence on the Moon. Part of this effort will be to test technologies developed in collaboration with private companies and international partners, including Europe, which could help carry the first astronauts to the next step: Mars.

A multibillion-dollar contract between NASA and SpaceX is under scrutiny as the Elon Musk-helmed space company's plans to return astronauts to the surface of the Moon keep slipping. As the New York Times reports, experts are now warning that China could beat the United States in the race back to the Moon. After a series of successful robotic missions to the Earth's natural satellite, the country has made major strides in its efforts to launch its "Lanyue" lunar lander to the Moon before 2030.

NASA's Artemis program aims to establish a permanent base on the moon's South Pole, enhancing international collaboration for future human missions to Mars.

Lunar exploration remains one of the most technically demanding frontiers in modern spaceflight, where even small miscalculations can lead to major errors in landing.