NASA overhauls its Artemis program to return astronauts to the moon

Associated Press (AP)EN 3 min read 100% complete by By MARCIA DUNNFebruary 27, 2026 at 04:53 PM

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NASA is overhauling its Artemis program, adding an extra lunar mission before attempting a crewed lunar landing. This decision follows the return of NASA's new moon rocket to its hangar for repairs and a safety panel's warning to reduce overly ambitious goals. Artemis II, a lunar fly-around mission with four astronauts, is delayed until at least April due to rocket issues. The subsequent mission, Artemis III, which aimed for a lunar landing near the moon's south pole, will be pushed back to accommodate the additional mission. The changes aim to mitigate risks and ensure the safety of astronauts in the program's return to the moon after more than half a century.

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Cape Canaveral ×430% Kennedy Space Center ×440% Orion Spacecraft ×450% Space Launch System (SLS) ×460% Artemis II ×470% Moon ×480% Artemis Program ×290% NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) ×8100%

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