Returning Humans to the Moon: How the United States Can Actually Get There Ahead of Watching China Do So

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On June 14, 2024, Mike Griffin, co-president of LogiQ, Inc. and former NASA Administrator, delivered a lecture titled “Returning Humans to the Moon: How the United States Can Actually Get There Ahead of Watching China Do So” at the Philosophical Society of Washington. In his presentation, Griffin critically assessed NASA’s current Artemis program and proposed an alternative approach to expedite America’s return to the lunar surface.

Griffin began by expressing concerns over the Artemis program, describing it as excessively complex, unrealistically priced, compromising crew safety, posing high mission risks, and unlikely to be completed in a timely manner. He highlighted the program’s intricate architecture, which involves multiple commercial partnerships and new technologies, as potential sources of delay and increased costs.

To address these issues, Griffin proposed a streamlined mission architecture centered on two launches of the Space Launch System (SLS) Block 2 heavy-lift launch vehicle. The first launch would deliver a lunar lander and transfer stage into lunar orbit, while the second would send a crewed Orion spacecraft and transfer stage. Upon arrival, the crew would transfer from Orion to the lander, descend to the lunar surface for a week-long mission, and then return to Orion for the journey back to Earth.

Griffin’s plan emphasizes the use of existing or near-term technologies to reduce development time and costs. The SLS Block 2, an upgraded version of NASA’s heavy-lift rocket, would provide the necessary lift capability for both the lander and crewed missions. The Orion spacecraft, already developed for deep space missions, would serve as the crew vehicle. The lunar lander design would draw from prior concepts, focusing on simplicity and reliability.

Griffin argued that this approach would mitigate risks associated with developing multiple new systems simultaneously. By leveraging existing infrastructure and focusing on a direct mission profile, the United States could achieve a lunar landing more efficiently. He also stressed the importance of maintaining a leadership position in space exploration, particularly in light of China’s advancing lunar ambitions.

Beyond technological and budgetary considerations, Griffin highlighted the strategic importance of human space exploration to national security. He cautioned that the ongoing competition with the Chinese Communist Party for global influence extends into space. Establishing a sustained human presence on the Moon would not only demonstrate technological superiority but also secure geopolitical advantages.

In his lecture, Mike Griffin presented a compelling case for re-evaluating the current trajectory of the United States’ lunar exploration efforts. By proposing a more straightforward and achievable mission architecture, he aimed to catalyze discussions on how America can return humans to the Moon efficiently and maintain its leadership in space exploration.

For a more in-depth understanding, you can watch the full lecture here:

Last update on 2026-01-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API