Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

muriel_volestrangler

(106,148 posts)
13. It's notable that what they said at the start of this month is SpaceX and Blue Origin are in competition
Tue Mar 24, 2026, 01:26 PM
5 hrs ago

for the first Artemis lunar landing:

Artemis III: NASA added a new demonstration mission in low Earth orbit in mid-2027 to test one or both commercial landers from SpaceX and Blue Origin respectively. The mission will launch crew in Orion on top of the SLS rocket to test rendezvous and docking capabilities between Orion and private commercial spacecraft needed to land astronauts on the Moon. This test will take place with one or both providers.

Artemis IV: NASA continues to target the first Artemis lunar landing in early 2028, which has been the target landing date since mid-2025. After launch, crew will transfer from Orion to a commercial lunar lander for transportation to the surface of the Moon. Lander readiness will determine which provider will safely carry them to the surface and back to Orion in lunar orbit before crew return home aboard Orion – splashing down safely in the Pacific Ocean. Work to standardize the SLS rocket will be implemented for Artemis IV. With this architecture approach, NASA is assessing alternative options for the second stage of the rocket. The interim cryogenic propulsion stage used for the first three missions will be replaced with a new second stage, and the agency is no longer planning to use the Exploration Upper Stage or Mobile Launcher 2, as development of both has faced delays.

Artemis V: Using the standardized configuration of the SLS rocket, NASA anticipates launching this lunar surface mission by late 2028, and future missions about once per year thereafter. This mission also is when NASA is expected to begin building its Moon base.

https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/esdmd/nasa-strengthens-artemis-adds-mission-refines-overall-architecture/

Bezos had deployed his billions in support of Trump, with less of an ego than Musk (I'm not saying he has no ego, of course ...), so that probably helps his company.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

So presumably all this at this page is now inoperative: muriel_volestrangler 8 hrs ago #1
Probably RussBLib 5 hrs ago #12
It's notable that what they said at the start of this month is SpaceX and Blue Origin are in competition muriel_volestrangler 5 hrs ago #13
While they cut people's food aid Blues Heron 8 hrs ago #2
Oh, they mean Trump Base bucolic_frolic 7 hrs ago #3
Exactly what I thought. He wants a permanent lunar base with his f'king name on it. Fla Dem 7 hrs ago #4
Whitey's on the Moon - Gil Scott-Heron Midnight Writer 7 hrs ago #5
Why do I keep thinking of this??? sdfernando 7 hrs ago #6
At this point in time, I don't believe any of this will be built. Javaman 7 hrs ago #7
We don't need to waste taxpayer money on a moon base. Jacson6 7 hrs ago #8
good luck w this part- mopinko 6 hrs ago #9
20 billion is 1/10th of an Iran War Supplemental maxsolomon 6 hrs ago #10
Soon the Trump Administration will announce they have won the war on the moon without anyone's help. twodogsbarking 6 hrs ago #11
An orbital moon base was a dumb idea anyway. LudwigPastorius 3 hrs ago #14
We, the People of the United States of America.... SergeStorms 3 hrs ago #15
In space, no one can hear you rant DBoon 3 hrs ago #16
Such a waste of money. Owl 2 hrs ago #17
20B? ROFLMAO!! Add another zero onto that and it still might not be enough Bengus81 2 hrs ago #18
It'll only be "semi-habitable". That's a major cost saving there. muriel_volestrangler 2 hrs ago #19
Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»NASA to spend $20 billion...»Reply #13