NASA’s Office of the Inspector Inspector General has issued several reports in 2023 and 2024 auditing the: Artemis Supply Chain (addressing all components of the Artemis program, including HLS, EVA Space Suit and Orion Capsule), SLS Mobile Launcher 2, and SLS Boosters and Engines. Likewise, the Government Accountability Office has issued several reports during the same time frame on the Artemis program. All identified significant Artemis program costs, schedule, management, and technical issues.
On July 24, 2024, the GAO issued a report on the Gateway project Artemis Programs: NASA Should Document and Communicate Plans to Address Gateway’s Mass Risk. GAO identified significant schedule, cost, and technical issues. This article examines the report, and other sources of information, to describe the status of Gateway.
Introduction
NASA’s Artemis program is designed to return astronauts to the Moon, establish a sustained lunar presence, and eventually enable missions to Mars. A central element in this effort is the Gateway, a lunar-orbiting space station that will serve as a habitat, work platform, and staging area for crewed lunar missions. The Gateway is also expected to play a key role in NASA’s broader Moon-to-Mars strategy, providing the infrastructure for future Mars exploration.
As the Artemis IV mission approaches, NASA is focusing on completing the initial capability of the Gateway, which includes two critical modules: the Power and Propulsion Element (PPE) and the Habitation and Logistics Outpost (HALO). These modules are scheduled for launch by December 2027, although to meet Artemis IV’s timeline, NASA is exploring the possibility of launching earlier. Alongside technical challenges, including exceeding mass targets, NASA is also preparing for how the Gateway will be used beyond Artemis IV, including for Mars missions.
Mission Planning Profiles
Artemis IV Mission and the Role of Gateway
The Artemis IV mission, planned for September 2028, will be the first to use the Gateway as a habitat for astronauts. The mission will involve docking the Orion crew vehicle with the Gateway and integrating an International Habitat with the HALO module before transporting the crew to the lunar surface. Gateway’s initial configuration will also serve as a communications relay between the lunar surface and Earth.
NASA has partnered with various contractors to develop the core components of the Gateway. Maxar Space Systems is developing the PPE, Northrop Grumman is working on the HALO, and SpaceX is responsible for delivering logistics and cargo to the Gateway.
Gateway’s Technical Challenges
While NASA has made progress in developing the Gateway’s modules, significant technical challenges remain, particularly concerning the combined mass of the PPE and HALO modules, which has exceeded initial targets. This could affect the modules’ ability to reach the correct lunar orbit. A documented plan for managing and reducing the mass is yet to be finalized, which could delay the project or necessitate design compromises.
Mass Management
The combined weight of the PPE and HALO modules has surpassed the allowable mass limits. If left unaddressed, this could impact the ability of the Gateway to reach its intended orbit. NASA has several options to mitigate this risk, including removing non-essential components, sending additional items on separate logistics missions or narrowing launch windows to reduce fuel requirements. The HALO’s mass is particularly concerning, with estimates showing an increase of 602 kilograms due to wiring miscalculations.
NASA’s internal systems engineering guidelines recommend that projects remain within mass allocations at key technical reviews. However, neither the PPE nor HALO met these requirements during their critical design reviews. To address the mass issue, NASA plans to document and communicate a mass management plan that will guide mass reduction efforts and help determine trade-offs.
Cost and Schedule Risks
NASA’s Gateway project faces not only technical challenges but also cost and schedule risks. The program’s current schedule baseline places the launch of the Gateway modules in December 2027. However, to meet the Artemis IV timeline, NASA needs the modules to launch by September 2027 to allow sufficient time for their transit to lunar orbit and operational testing. As a result, NASA is considering an accelerated launch date, earlier than both the baseline and required launch dates, to give contractors more flexibility and allow more time for unexpected delays.
NASA is preparing for a critical design-informed synchronization review scheduled for September 2024, where updated cost and schedule estimates will be produced. An updated Joint Cost and Schedule Confidence Level (JCL) analysis will be conducted to assess the likelihood of the Gateway meeting its targets. This analysis will incorporate updated risk assessments and help NASA adjust its plans for potential delays or cost overruns.
Progress and Risks in Gateway Development
The PPE and HALO modules are both nearing completion, with their critical design reviews completed in 2023 and 2024, respectively. NASA’s Solar Electric Propulsion (SEP) project, responsible for developing the thrusters that power the PPE, has made progress, but it has faced delays due to design changes and integration challenges. Similarly, the HALO module has completed its primary structure and is undergoing key risk mitigation tests to ensure its readiness for space.
However, risks remain, particularly concerning the Gateway’s control systems and communications network. NASA discovered defects in the communications network during testing, which could affect the Gateway’s ability to maintain stable communications between Earth and lunar missions. To address this, NASA formed a study team to analyze the issues and recommend fixes before the September 2024 synchronization review.
Additionally, NASA is concerned about the Gateway’s ability to maintain control when larger vehicles, such as lunar landers, dock with the station. The mass of these visiting vehicles, particularly the Starship lunar lander, could exceed the PPE’s control limits. NASA is exploring several options to mitigate this risk, including adjusting the control algorithms of the PPE or relying on visiting vehicles to assist with maintaining control.
NASA’s Moon-to-Mars Strategy
The Gateway is a key element of NASA’s broader Moon-to-Mars strategy. The agency has organized its M2M architecture into four segments: Human Lunar Return, Foundational Exploration, Sustained Lunar Evolution, and Humans to Mars. The Gateway plays a central role in the first two segments, supporting lunar missions and serving as a proving ground for deep space technologies.
The Gateway is expected to evolve over time, with additional modules contributed by international partners, such as the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). These modules will enhance the Gateway’s capabilities, allowing it to support longer-duration missions and more complex science operations. While NASA has not yet finalized the Gateway’s role in later Mars missions, the station’s ability to operate uncrewed for long periods and its potential as a Mars transit habitat make it a critical component of the M2M architecture.
Media Feedback on Gateway and Artemis
NASA’s Gateway and the broader Artemis program have attracted significant media attention, particularly as delays and technical challenges have mounted. A recent article by Ars Technica offers an insightful critique of NASA’s current approach, suggesting that the Artemis program, and particularly the Gateway, would benefit from several strategic adjustments. These suggestions have prompted discussions in the space community and among policymakers about the best path forward for NASA’s lunar ambitions.
The article proposes three main “tricks” for reviving the Artemis program, emphasizing the importance of streamlined management, better contractor performance, and more focused technical goals. While the Gateway is seen as an essential piece of the lunar exploration puzzle, concerns about its complexity and the associated costs have fueled some skepticism. Critics argue that the Gateway might add unnecessary layers of complexity to lunar missions, with some calling for a more simplified lunar return approach that bypasses the Gateway in favor of direct lunar landings.
However, advocates for the Gateway point to its long-term potential, especially as a platform for international collaboration and a stepping stone for Mars missions. The debate in the media highlights the broader tension between short-term mission success and long-term infrastructure development. In the context of NASA’s overall strategy, the Gateway represents a significant investment in sustainable deep space operations, even as it faces challenges in execution.
The media feedback, particularly from outlets like Ars Technica, underscores the need for NASA to address the technical, cost, and schedule risks associated with the Gateway. Transparent communication about these challenges, as well as concrete steps to mitigate them, could help bolster public confidence in NASA’s approach.
Future Reviews and Decisions
NASA plans to continue holding annual Architecture Concept Reviews to refine its Moon-to-Mars strategy and determine the Gateway’s role in future missions. These reviews will help NASA make key decisions, such as how to transport crew and cargo to Mars and what capabilities the Gateway will need to support these missions.
While the Gateway’s initial configuration is already being built, NASA is considering potential upgrades to support Mars exploration. These upgrades could include new software or modifications to the Gateway’s control systems. NASA has emphasized the need to limit significant design changes to avoid cost overruns and schedule delays.
Summary
NASA’s Artemis program is at a critical juncture, with the Gateway playing a pivotal role in the mission to return humans to the Moon and eventually send astronauts to Mars. While NASA has made substantial progress in developing the Power and Propulsion Element (PPE) and the Habitation and Logistics Outpost (HALO) modules, the project faces significant technical challenges, including mass overruns, control system concerns, and communications network defects. These challenges, combined with cost and schedule risks, have created some uncertainty about whether the Gateway will meet the planned Artemis IV mission timeline.
Media feedback, particularly from outlets like Ars Technica, has highlighted both the potential and the challenges of the Gateway. Critics suggest that the complexity and costs associated with the Gateway could slow progress, advocating for simpler lunar mission strategies. At the same time, the Gateway is seen by others as a long-term investment in deep space exploration, especially for international collaboration and future Mars missions.
NASA has the opportunity to address these concerns by ensuring transparent communication regarding the program’s risks and by implementing concrete plans to mitigate technical hurdles. The planned annual Architecture Concept Reviews will play a key role in refining the Moon-to-Mars strategy and determining how the Gateway can best support both lunar and Mars exploration.
