Synopsis
- NASA aims to establish a sustained human presence on the Moon through the Artemis program, with the goal of using the Moon as a stepping stone for eventual human exploration of Mars.
Key Points
- Establish the Lunar Gateway, an orbiting outpost that will serve as a command module and technology testbed. International partners like Canada, Japan, and ESA will contribute key components.
- Send robotic missions starting in 2021 to demonstrate precision landing and scout out resources like water ice. The VIPER rover will study volatiles at the lunar South Pole.
- Land the first woman and next man on the Moon by 2024 (Artemis 3), followed by once-a-year Artemis missions with gradually longer durations.
- Develop Artemis Base Camp to enable extended stays on the lunar surface, anchored by a foundation surface habitat, lunar terrain vehicle, and habitable mobility platform.
- Use the evolved capabilities of the Lunar Gateway to simulate Mars transit missions, with some crew in orbit and others on the surface.
- Expand infrastructure like communications, power systems, and ISRU pilot plants to establish a sustained presence that can be built up over time.
- Pursue public-private partnerships and international cooperation to broaden capabilities and opportunities on the lunar surface.
The plan aims to demonstrate key technologies and gain operational experience needed for the first human mission to Mars in the 2030s, while pursuing lunar science and enabling long-term economic activity. However, NASA faces schedule delays and funding uncertainties as challenges to achieving these goals.
