Introduction
Recent announcements from NASA have reshuffled the agency’s lunar ambitions. The Artemis 3 mission, initially targeted for 2025, has been pushed to late 2027. The primary culprits are delays in the development of SpaceX’s Starship Human Landing System (HLS) and Blue Origin’s Blue Moon lander. This shift raises a critical question: despite the setback, can NASA still achieve a crewed moon landing in 2028? This how-to guide will walk you through the key factors and steps to analyze the situation, understand the new timeline, and assess the likelihood of a lunar touchdown within the revised window.
What You Need
Before diving into the analysis, ensure you have a grasp of these foundational elements:
- Background knowledge of NASA’s Artemis program, including its three-phase approach (Artemis 1, 2, 3).
- Familiarity with key contractors: SpaceX (Starship HLS) and Blue Origin (Blue Moon lander).
- Understanding of past milestones: Artemis 1 completed in 2022; Artemis 2 crewed flyby currently scheduled for late 2024 or early 2025.
- Awareness of budget and political pressures that influence NASA’s schedule.
Step-by-Step Evaluation
Step 1: Understand the Original Artemis 3 Schedule
To gauge the impact of the delay, you first need to know where the mission stood initially. Artemis 3 was planned as the first crewed moon landing since Apollo 17 in 1972. Originally, NASA aimed for a 2025 landing, using SpaceX’s Starship as the lander. The schedule assumed a rapid development pace for Starship and a flawless integration between the Orion capsule (launched on SLS) and the Starship HLS. This step sets the baseline for why the delay matters.
Step 2: Recognize the Technical Delays (Starship and Blue Moon)
Both SpaceX and Blue Origin have encountered hurdles. For Starship, multiple test flights (including the explosive November 2023 launch) have pushed back the vehicle’s readiness. Meanwhile, Blue Origin’s Blue Moon lander, selected as an alternate HLS, is still in early design phases. These delays forced NASA to reassess the Artemis 3 timeline. In late 2023, the agency officially moved the target to late 2027. Underlying issues include complex propellant transfer in orbit (for Starship) and regulatory approvals for both landers.
Step 3: Analyze the New Timeline to Late 2027
The revised plan slots Artemis 2 (a crewed flyby) for late 2024 or early 2025, leaving a two-year gap before Artemis 3 in 2027. This gap is intended to allow for Starship and Blue Moon testing. However, note that no NASA mission has ever had a two-year gap without a crewed lunar landing attempt—making this a critical window. Within this period, SpaceX must demonstrate orbital refueling and a successful uncrewed landing, while Blue Origin must complete its first lunar descent tests. This timeline is tight but technically plausible.
Step 4: Evaluate the Possibility of a 2028 Landing
Given the 2027 target, a 2028 landing might seem like a natural backup. But the question is more nuanced. If Starship faces additional failures in 2026–2027, the mission could slip further. Conversely, if both landers show rapid progress, NASA might accelerate Artemis 3 by several months. Importantly, the agency has not officially set a 2028 goal—it’s a speculative date based on historical delays. To land in 2028, NASA would need to avoid any major mishaps in the final integration or test flights after 2027. That’s a narrow path, but not impossible. Consider that the Artemis 3 mission itself could launch as early as mid-2027 if everything goes perfectly, which would allow a 2028 landing as an alternative milestone.
Step 5: Consider Alternative Scenarios
NASA could also adjust the mission architecture. For example, they might swap the lander from Starship to Blue Moon if the latter matures faster. Or they could simplify Artemis 3 as an orbital rendezvous test without a surface landing, then push the actual landing to Artemis 4 in 2029. Another scenario: using commercial or international landers (like from Japan or Europe) as interim solutions. Each alternative would affect the 2028 timeline differently. Understanding these contingencies helps determine whether a 2028 landing remains realistic.
Tips for Staying Informed and Assessing Progress
- Monitor key milestones: Watch for Starship’s orbital refueling demonstration (expected 2025–2026) and Blue Moon’s first powered test flight.
- Follow NASA’s official updates and inspector general reports—they often reveal hidden delays or cost overruns.
- Consider geopolitical factors: a lunar landing in 2028 might be expedited if a rival (like China) announces a crewed moon mission earlier.
- Be wary of overly optimistic deadlines: space history shows that technical setbacks often push schedules by years, not months.
- Use the gap between Artemis 2 and 3 as a barometer: if that gap narrows (e.g., Artemis 2 moves to 2025 and Artemis 3 stays at 2027), the 2028 landing becomes more plausible.
In summary, while Artemis 3’s slip to 2027 dims the chance of a 2028 landing, it does not extinguish it. The key variables are the pace of Starship and Blue Moon development, NASA’s willingness to adjust mission scope, and external pressures. By following these steps, you can critically evaluate the evolving situation and decide for yourself whether astronauts will walk on the moon again within this decade.