Fifty years after Apollo 17 left the Moon’s surface, America is finally returning. But this time, it’s not just a symbolic flag-planting mission—it’s the beginning of a new era of deep space exploration. With the Artemis program, NASA is not only planning to land humans on the Moon again but to build a permanent lunar base and pave the way for Mars.
It sounds ambitious, and it is. The project is already costing $93 billion through 2025, is riddled with delays, and has sparked an intense rivalry between Elon Musk’s SpaceX and Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin. Yet, if NASA succeeds, it will redefine what’s possible in space exploration.
How did we get here? Who’s involved? And can NASA really pull this off? Let’s break down everything you need to know about Artemis—its history, politics, engineering challenges, and what the future holds.
The Origins: From Apollo to Artemis
When Neil Armstrong took that “one small step” in 1969, the Moon seemed like the next frontier. But after just six landings, the U.S. abandoned it. The Apollo program was wildly expensive, and public interest faded.
For decades, NASA dreamed of going back, but political and budgetary concerns always got in the way. In the 2000s, President George W. Bush announced the Constellation Program, a return-to-the-Moon effort that was ultimately canceled in 2010 due to cost overruns.
Then, in 2017, President Donald Trump signed Space Policy Directive 1, formally reviving America’s goal of landing humans on the Moon. But this time, NASA wasn’t just aiming for a short visit—it wanted to build a permanent base to support missions to Mars.
Vice President Mike Pence set an ambitious goal: Land on the Moon by 2024. That date has since slipped, but Artemis remains a cornerstone of NASA’s future.
Why Artemis? What’s Different This Time?
Unlike Apollo, Artemis isn’t about beating the Soviets or proving American dominance. Instead, the goals are:
- Establishing a long-term presence on the Moon
- Testing new technologies for Mars exploration
- Creating a lunar economy (yes, space capitalism is coming)
- Collaborating with international and commercial partners
NASA is calling this the “Artemis Generation”, in contrast to the Apollo era. The program is named after Artemis, the twin sister of Apollo in Greek mythology, symbolizing a new chapter in lunar exploration.
This time, it’s not just NASA running the show. SpaceX, Blue Origin, Lockheed Martin, and other private companies are heavily involved, competing for contracts worth billions. And international partners like the European Space Agency (ESA) and Canada are playing a major role.
The Missions: A Step-by-Step Breakdown
✅ Artemis I (2022) – The Uncrewed Test
- Successfully launched in November 2022
- Sent the Orion spacecraft on a 25-day mission around the Moon
- Tested systems for future crewed missions
🔜 Artemis II (April 2026) – First Astronauts to the Moon in 50 Years
- Four astronauts (including the first woman and first person of color) will orbit the Moon but not land
- Will test Orion’s life support systems
- Crew:
- Reid Wiseman (Commander)
- Victor Glover (Pilot)
- Christina Koch (Mission Specialist)
- Jeremy Hansen (Mission Specialist, Canada)
🚀 Artemis III (Mid-2027) – The First Moon Landing Since 1972
- Two astronauts will land near the lunar South Pole for the first time
- They will spend 6.5 days on the surface, twice as long as Apollo 11
- They will test new spacesuits and conduct experiments
- The mission requires at least 10 SpaceX Starship refueling flights, a major technical challenge
🌕 Artemis IV (2028) – Building the Lunar Gateway
- First crewed mission to dock with the Lunar Gateway, a mini-space station orbiting the Moon
- Will deliver the I-HAB habitat module to the Gateway
- A key step toward a long-term lunar presence
🛠️ Artemis V–X (2030–2035) – Permanent Moon Base & Mars Prep
- Artemis V (2030) introduces Blue Origin’s “Blue Moon” lander
- Artemis VI (2031) delivers the Crew and Science Airlock
- Artemis VII–X focus on building the Artemis Base Camp and staying on the Moon for extended periods
The SpaceX vs. Blue Origin Rivalry
NASA initially awarded SpaceX a $2.9 billion contract to develop a lunar lander, shutting out Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin. Blue Origin sued NASA, causing delays, but eventually won a separate contract to land astronauts on Artemis V.
Now, two landers will be used:
- SpaceX Starship HLS (Artemis III & IV)
- Blue Origin’s Blue Moon (Artemis V onward)
This intense competition could lower costs and increase innovation, but some experts worry about technical hurdles—especially Starship’s complex refueling process.
The Cost: Is It Worth It?
NASA’s Inspector General estimates Artemis will cost $93 billion through 2025, making it one of the most expensive space programs in history.
- Each SLS launch costs $4.1 billion, compared to SpaceX’s $10 million goal for Starship
- Some argue that SLS is outdated and overpriced
- Critics say NASA should fully embrace private rockets
Despite the cost, NASA insists Artemis will pay off in the long run by:
- Boosting the space economy
- Creating thousands of jobs
- Positioning the U.S. as a leader in space exploration
The Road Ahead: Can NASA Stick to the Plan?
With frequent delays, lawsuits, and rising costs, Artemis has had a rocky start. But NASA is determined to push forward, and the program’s success could redefine humanity’s future in space.
The next major test will be Artemis II in 2026. If it succeeds, we’ll be on track for a Moon landing in 2027.
If Artemis overcomes its challenges, this could be the first step toward humans living on the Moon permanently—and eventually setting foot on Mars.
Final Thought: The New Space Age is Here
The Artemis program isn’t just a sequel to Apollo—it’s something bigger. It’s about laying the foundation for a future where humans are a multi-planetary species.
The journey won’t be easy. But if NASA, SpaceX, and their partners pull it off, the 2020s and 2030s could be remembered as the decades when humanity took its next giant leap.
Will we see a permanent Moon base in our lifetime? Will Artemis pave the way to Mars?
We’ll find out soon.
