USA Policymakers Consider Firm Timeline, Cost Structure for Artemis III Human Moon Return — NLT 2026 July 4?
2026 is realistic goal for First Woman on the Moon near MSP, per NASA IG Paul Martin speaking to congressional Space and Aeronautics subcommittee hearing on Artemis Initiative crewed lunar landings; Originally slated for 2028, then accelerated to 2024 goal under previous administration, ‘technical risk’ now points to NLT 4 July 2026, which would appropriately coincide with USA Quarter-millennial; SLS launches anticipated to cost US$4.1B/ea, while total development spending to reach $93B through 2025 (total Apollo spending ~$257B inflation adjusted); Artemis organizational management, xEMU / flight suits, mobile SLS launchers, Orion, Astronaut Corps among areas of testimony focus; RFI for NASA Consolidated Applications and Platform Services cost reductions due 10 March
9th National Space Council meeting since 2017 reinstitution to be presided over by (clockwise from top) VP Harris with support of Executive Secretary Chirag Parikh; Harris likely to highlight Earth observation benefits, commercial opportunities, and Artemis / USA Moon return; First Woman on the Moon championed as “incredible” by former NASA Administrator Bridenstine and First Person of Color on the Moon goal announced by Acting Administrator Steve Jurczyk are foundational, multipartisan initiatives; Bhavya Lal, Associate Administrator for the Office of Technology, Policy and Strategy may be nominated to UAG
USA VP Harris gives remarks 5 Nov at NASA GSFC in Greenbelt MD, research lab responsible for world-class Earth observation Landsat mission; As National Space Council Chair, Harris announced inaugural session of term 1 Dec, alluding to “comprehensive framework for space priorities” pending announcement; Climate change mitigation, beneficial technology transfer, commercial viability, security themes addressed; Historical invocations of first USA spaceflight by Alan Shepard, fellow Democrats JFK / LBJ, and 12 Moonwalkers followed by closing statement “While exploration of space defined 20th Century, the opportunity of space will define 21st Century”
With relations normalized under 2020 Abraham Accords, UAE and Israel now leading way forward with space diplomacy centered on US$100M Beresheet 2 lunar lander under MoU signed by (L-R) UAESA Chairwoman Sarah Al Amiri and Israel Minister of Science & Technology Orit Farkash-Hacohen; Beresheet 2 data to be used in educational program to precisely determine New Year under Islamic and Jewish lunar calendars; Data-sharing project in support of agriculture / climate monitoring from VENµS Israeli / France 12 spectral-band small sat also in works
Open Lunar Foundation Of Silicon Valley, Through ‘Purpose Trust’ Breaking Ground, Intends To Buy Moon Regolith From Multiple Sources, Experiment With Various Management Strategies; Privately Funded Group Cites 2015 USA, 2017 Luxembourg, 2020 UAE Space Legislation Interpreting Commercialization Of Extraterrestrial Resources As In Accordance With 1967 Outer Space Treaty; Trust Fashioned Along ‘Steward-Ownership’ Model; Transaction Between Private Parties Will Establish Norms / Framework For Earth-Moon Commerce; IM R&D VP Timothy Crain Says Initial Agreements Are “Building Blocks For Future Trade In The Solar System”
Administrator Jim Bridenstine Signals Term Will Not Extend Into Biden/Harris Government, Reported By Aerospace Daily; Current NASA Head Ranks “Continuity Of Purpose” As Vital Aspect Of Program Success, Which Has Seen Lunar Progress Stymied By Inter-Administration Reprioritization In Past; “Bipartisan, Apolitical… Strong Support For Artemis” Found On “Both Sides Of The Aisle”, Bridenstine Assures; With Appointment 23 April 2018, The 13th NASA Administration May Be Shorter In Duration Than Historically Typical, However Achievements (Building Artemis Coalition, Human Lander Contracts) Have Significantly Advanced Space / Lunar Exploration Momentum
