WASHINGTON - NASA is poised to announce a delay in its upcoming lunar missions within the Artemis program due to technical challenges faced by the spacecraft involved, according to sources familiar with the matter.
The setback is anticipated to be revealed on Tuesday, following an assessment of progress and potential alterations within the multi-billion dollar initiative. The second Artemis mission, originally slated for late 2024, is expected to be postponed after issues arose during vibration tests with the Lockheed Martin-built Orion crew capsule's batteries, necessitating their replacement.
The mission, initially intended as the first crewed flight since the 1972 Apollo mission, encountered complications with the batteries during an uncrewed test launch in 2022. Furthermore, the timeline for Artemis 3, set to land humans on the moon in late 2025 utilizing SpaceX's Starship landing system, is also anticipated to be extended. SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, is reportedly facing delays in achieving certain development milestones.
NASA officials have been contemplating the possibility of shifting the inaugural Artemis astronaut landing to the fourth mission, providing additional preparation time for SpaceX and other contractors. This proposal was presented to senior leadership last month, but it remains unclear if this option has been chosen. The revised target dates for the initial Artemis missions have yet to be disclosed.
The Artemis program heavily relies on partnerships with private companies, including Boeing, Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, and SpaceX. Blue Origin, led by Jeff Bezos, is also contributing to the development of an astronaut lander for future missions.
SpaceX's ambitious Starship system faces challenges, notably the orbital refueling plan, viewed by NASA as a potential bottleneck. Progress in this aspect is crucial, involving the intricate transfer of supercooled, flammable propellants in orbit.
NASA declined to comment on the impending announcement, while Lockheed and SpaceX have not provided immediate responses to requests for comments.