NASA will unveil important updates on the Artemis plan for the moon. Here’s how to follow it.
The NASA core team is about to provide its first major update on the ambitious Artemis program in almost a year.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is about to provide its first significant update on the Artemis program, its ambitious lunar exploration initiative, in almost a year. This live-streamed event will be led by NASA Administrator Bill Nelson and will take place at the agency's headquarters in Washington, D.C., on December 5.
The Artemis program aims to return humans to the Moon for the first time since 1972, with the first crewed mission, Artemis III, potentially scheduled for September 2026. During the presentation, NASA is expected to confirm that it remains on track to achieve this goal. Before that, four astronauts are anticipated to be sent on a lunar flyby mission, Artemis II, currently planned for September 2025. This flight will replicate the trajectory of the Orion module in the uncrewed Artemis I mission, which took place in 2022. However, it is important to highlight that both Artemis II and Artemis III have faced delays, raising the possibility of further postponements.
One significant issue that NASA needs to address, which could influence the timelines for the Artemis missions, is related to Orion's heat shield, which experienced more wear than expected during its re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere at the conclusion of the Artemis I mission. This topic is anticipated to be discussed in the meeting on Thursday. In addition to updates on the two upcoming Artemis missions, there may be discussions about the current status of the SLS rocket, the powerful launch system that propelled Orion on its first flight, as well as the next-generation spacesuits designed for the Moon and the implementation of the Lunar Gateway. This small orbital facility around the Moon will serve as a stopover point for crewed missions to the lunar surface.
Details may also be provided about preparations for future missions, including Artemis IV, V, and VI, and the expansion of scientific capabilities, with new additions like the Lunar Terrain Vehicle.
NASA's Artemis update will begin at 1 p.m. ET on December 5, and it will be available to follow through the video player on the agency's website.
