Space

NASA Delays Moon Landing to 2028, Revamps Artemis Plan

Is the Artemis III delay a smart test step or another major setback in the lunar race against China?

Published 1 hour ago

NASA Delays Moon Landing to 2028, Revamps Artemis Plan

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Above: NASA administrators speak during a press conference at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Feb. 27. Image credit: Miguel J Rodriguez Carrillo/AFP/Getty Images

The Spin

Pro-establishment narrative

NASA isn’t “canceling” a landing, it’s inserting a proven Apollo-style test step to reduce risk and fly more often. Standardizing the Space Launch System and validating landers and suits in orbit builds real flight experience, enabling two lunar landing attempts in 2028 and annual missions after. Higher cadence, simpler hardware and incremental testing strengthen safety and make a sustained return to the moon achievable as the U.S. seeks to stay ahead of China’s lunar timeline.

Jared Isaacman on X FOX News

Kristin Fisher on X

Establishment-critical narrative

NASA’s shift of Artemis III to an Earth-orbit test is being spun as a cautious, risk-reduction step, but it’s a major setback. The first lunar landing is now pushed to 2028, Artemis II is already delayed, and costly technical challenges persist. Meanwhile, China is rapidly advancing crewed lunar hardware and infrastructure, planning two spaceflights in 2026 and targeting a first manned landing before 2030, making clear the U.S. is losing its uncontested lead in the moon race.

Futurism South China Morning Post

CGTN on Youtube