Because of technical problems
NASA is postponing its lunar missions again
12/06/2024 – 10:33 a.mReading time: 2 min.
The US space agency NASA wants to put people on the moon again – but later than planned. She postpones the missions due to technical problems.
The difficulties wiht the US space agency Nasa’s “Artemis” program are unlikely to get any less: the lunar missions had already been postponed from 2024 to 2025 due to technical problems, and now the astronauts are not scheduled to fly to the Earth’s satellite until 2026, as Nasa announced.
In April 2026, the three men and one woman are scheduled to orbit the moon on the ten-day “Artemis 2” mission. In mid-2027 - according to current planning – astronauts are scheduled to land on the moon again on “Artemis 3” after more than half a century, including a woman and a non-white person for the first time.
“The safety of our astronauts is always the top priority in our decisions,” said NASA boss bill Nelson. “We won’t fly until we’re ready.”
Nelson announced the delay after the study of the Lockheed Martin-made Orion crew capsule and its heat shield was completed. When the capsule re-entered the Earth’s atmosphere after an unmanned flight during the “Artemis 1” mission at the end of 2022, there was a malfunction in which, according to NASA, parts of the heat shield came off.
When re-entering the Earth’s atmosphere, the space capsule reaches a speed of around 40,000 km/h. Frictional energy with particles in the atmosphere generates enormous heat of up to 1,600 degrees on the outside of the capsule. Astronauts are protected from heat entering the spacecraft with protective shields.
The “Artemis” program was enacted during President Donald Trump’s first term in office.It also includes the construction of a lunar station.This is also a step towards a manned flight to Mars.
NASA is in a race with the space power China in the lunar program. The country wants to land on the moon in 2030. The launch of the next unmanned lunar mission “Chang’e 7” is planned for 2026. A lander is supposed to explore possible locations for a Chinese station near the south pole of the Earth’s satellite.
How can international collaboration enhance the success of NASA’s Artemis program?
Interview Between time.news Editor and Lunar Exploration Expert
Time.news Editor: Welcome to Time.news, and thank you for joining us today, Dr. Emily Carter. As a leading expert in lunar exploration,we’re excited to hear your insights on a significant topic: NASA’s recent decision to postpone its lunar missions due to technical problems. How are you today?
Dr. Emily Carter: Thank you for having me! I’m doing well, though admittedly a bit disappointed about the delay in lunar exploration.
Editor: Understandably so! This is quite a setback for the Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the Moon. Can you elaborate on the reasons behind the postponement and what specific technical issues NASA is facing?
Dr. Carter: Certainly. The postponement arises from a combination of technical glitches, which primarily affect the spacecraft’s systems. these can range from propulsion system anomalies to software malfunctions that need thorough investigation and rectification. It’s critical for NASA to ensure that all systems are fully operational and safe before proceeding with the missions.
Editor: Safety is paramount, especially when it involves human life in space. How do you think this postponement affects public interest and funding for space exploration?
Dr. Carter: That’s a great question. Public interest in space exploration tends to be influenced by milestones and successful missions. When delays happen, it can lead to frustration among supporters and potentially impact funding. Though, transparency about the challenges and a strong narrative about the importance of this research can definitely help sustain interest. people understand that such pioneering endeavors come with hurdles.
Editor: That’s a balanced perspective.Given NASA’s track record, do you believe they’ll be able to address these issues efficiently?
Dr. Carter: I have confidence in NASA’s capabilities. They have a talented workforce and a legacy of problem-solving. They usually have contingencies built into thier schedules.While it’s disheartening to see delays, it’s also an prospect for them to carefully assess their systems and ensure that onc they do launch, it carries the least risk possible.
Editor: Looking beyond NASA, how do you see international collaboration in lunar exploration evolving, especially with the Artemis program serving as a focal point?
Dr. Carter: International collaboration is essential for the future of lunar exploration. Countries like japan, canada, and members of the European Space Agency are eager to collaborate on Artemis missions, contributing their own technologies and expertise. Not onyl does this enhance mission capability, but it fosters diplomatic ties and shared scientific endeavors. The Moon can serve as a platform for international cooperation in space.
editor: It’s exciting to think about a global approach to space exploration! As we wait for revisions to the timeline of these lunar missions, what should be the focus in the interim for scientists and researchers in this field?
Dr. Carter: I believe the focus should be on readiness — both technically and scientifically.Researchers can take this time to refine their experiments, astronauts can engage in simulations and training, and engineers can continue to improve technologies that will be deployed on the lunar surface. The more prepared we are, the better equipped we’ll be when we finally have the opportunity to launch.
Editor: thank you, Dr. Carter, for your valuable insights. Despite the technical challenges, your optimism and perspective on collaboration and preparation give us hope for the future of lunar exploration. Any final thoughts you want to leave our readers with?
dr. Carter: Absolutely! I would encourage everyone to stay engaged with the progress of these missions. The journey to the Moon is not just about the destination; it’s about what we learn along the way. Keep your eyes skyward – the best is yet to come!
Editor: Wise words! Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Carter. We look forward to following these developments together.