According to a report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO), the planned NASA Artemis moon landing in 2025 is facing significant challenges and may not be feasible.
A fast-track schedule, along with delays developing SpaceX’s moon lander and new Axiom spacesuits, make the
The initial mission to land on the moon with the Artemis spacecraft.
According to a report released on Thursday by the Government Accountability Office, it is improbable that the expected timeline for 2025 will be met and it is more likely that there will be a delay until 2027, as seen in previous instances.
The agency stated that NASA and its partners have achieved some advancements, such as reaching significant goals, but they continue to encounter various obstacles in the development of the human landing system and spacesuits.
According to the GAO’s findings, the planned Artemis III mission to land humans on the moon is not expected to take place in 2025.
NASA/SpaceX
NASA is striving to accelerate the development of its moon landing system by over a year, which is faster than the typical timeline for major projects. According to the report, the intricate nature of human spaceflight makes it impractical to anticipate completion of the program more than a year ahead of the average timeframe for NASA’s major projects.
NASA successfully launched in November and has high hopes going forward.launch four astronauts
On a comparable trip, Artemis II is scheduled for late 2024 or early 2025.
The purpose of the Artemis III mission is to transport a team of four astronauts to the orbit of the moon. They will meet with a modified version of SpaceX’s Starship rocket called the Human Landing System (HLS). From there, two astronauts will transfer to the HLS and descend to the southern polar region of the moon.
After reaching the surface, the initial female and subsequent male who arrived there first.walk on the moon
Axiom Space has created new spacesuits for commercial use, which will be used during a six-day surface mission. After the mission is finished, the astronauts will return to the Orion capsule using the HLS.
2 year study contract for the development of an HLS
The HLS is a version of the Starship upper stage used by SpaceX’s Super Heavy rocket for commercial purposes. NASA granted SpaceX a 2-year contract to research and develop the HLS.$2.9 billion contract
In April 2021, the HLS system was constructed for the Artemis III mission.
GAO
Upon launch atop a Super Heavy booster, the HLS will utilize a significant amount of its cryogenic liquid methane and liquid oxygen propellants to reach Earth orbit.
In order to reach the moon, the HLS needs to be fueled. SpaceX intends to send a Starship propellant depot and several “tankers” to replenish it with the necessary methane and liquid oxygen.
The HLS spacecraft will dock with the depot, refuel, and then journey to the moon to await the Orion crew. According to NASA’s agreement with SpaceX, there must be one unmanned landing mission before astronauts can embark on the Artemis III mission.
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) reported that the first test flight of the combined Super Heavy-Starship rocket was postponed until April, resulting in a seven-month delay.terminated early
When the car veered off its intended path and started rolling.
A second test flight was launched Nov. 18
Although the Starship upper stage successfully entered space, it seems that a certain issue caused its self-destruction either before, during, or after shutting down the engine. SpaceX has not yet disclosed the specifics or confirmed a date for a third test.
The GAO determined that a moon landing in 2025 is unlikely due to the need for numerous successful flights to prove reliability and perfect autonomous refueling systems.
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SpaceX needs to accomplish a substantial amount of intricate technical tasks in order to assist the Artemis III mission to land on the moon. This includes creating the capability to store and transfer propellant while in orbit.
SpaceX’s strategy for successfully sending astronauts to the moon on Artemis III involves launching multiple tankers to transfer propellant to a space depot, which will then be used to fuel the human landing system.
According to the Government Accountability Office, NASA documents indicate that SpaceX has made minimal advancements in developing the necessary technologies for their plan.
One of the main challenges that the space agency is currently dealing with is creating new moonsuits. After spending $420 million and 14 years, NASA finally came up with a feasible design and awarded Axiom Space of Houston a $229 million contract to further develop it on a more commercial level.
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) stated that Axiom is confronted with various obstacles, such as fulfilling NASA’s demand for a one-hour emergency oxygen supply. Axiom also needs to tackle problems with their supply chain and the outdated components of their spacesuits.
According to the GAO, representatives from Axiom stated that they may make changes to certain elements of the space suit, potentially causing a delay in its delivery for the mission.
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Source: cbsnews.com