NASA's Artemis Program faces delays and budget challenges as lunar landing timeline shifts to 2028

NASA's Artemis Program, aimed at returning humans to the Moon, faces significant challenges as it approaches its sixth year. Key issues include delays with the Orion spacecraft's heat shield and uncertainty about the timeline for the Artemis III lunar landing, now likely pushed to 2028. The program's future is complicated by budget constraints and competition from China's lunar ambitions. NASA has already cut funding for other science missions to support Artemis, raising concerns about its sustainability and effectiveness. To improve the program, some suggest canceling the Lunar Gateway and the Block 1B upgrade of the Space Launch System rocket. They propose using the Centaur V as the new upper stage for the SLS to streamline efforts and focus resources.