NASA's Artemis Missions: Challenges of Returning Astronauts to the Moon

NASA is taking steps to return astronauts to the moon for the first time since 1972--when Gene Cernan was the last person to walk the lunar surface. But NASA's new mission--Artemis III--is unlikely to occur in 2025 as scheduled. Despite progress since our last report on the Artemis missions, NASA and its contractors are still facing challenges with developing and testing some key technologies for the lunar lander and space suits. Some key tests have also been delayed. This will have ripple effects on the schedule because many tests must be conducted sequentially. As a result, NASA is reviewing the Artemis III schedule--including the mission date.