NASA delays Artemis 2 and Artemis 3 missions to 2026 and 2027 due to spacecraft issues

NASA has delayed its Artemis 2 and Artemis 3 missions to 2026 and 2027, respectively. Artemis 2, which will send astronauts around the moon, is now set for April 2026, while Artemis 3, aimed at landing humans on the moon, is rescheduled for mid-2027. The delays are due to technical issues with the Orion spacecraft's heat shield, identified during the uncrewed Artemis 1 mission in 2022. NASA plans to adjust the spacecraft's reentry trajectory to enhance safety. The schedule changes may affect contractor operations and raise concerns about NASA's competitiveness in space exploration, particularly with China's lunar ambitions. The future of the Artemis program may also be influenced by the incoming U.S. administration's space policy.