NASA Delays Artemis Moon Missions to 2026 and 2027

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NASA pushes Artemis II crewed mission to April 2026 while lunar landing mission slides to mid-2027 amid technical hurdles.

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Heat shield damage during Artemis I revealed trapped gases caused internal pressure buildup and material loss during re-entry.

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Modified entry trajectory planned for Artemis II to reduce heat stress while maintaining current heat shield design.

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Orion capsule must battle 5,000-degree Fahrenheit temperatures as it slows from 25,000 mph to 325 mph during re-entry.

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Four-astronaut crew led by Commander Reid Wiseman backs NASA's careful approach to safety modifications.

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Environmental Control and Life Support Systems require additional refinements for extended mission capabilities.

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NASA engineers conducted 100+ tests across facilities to understand heat shield behavior and implement solutions.

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Space Launch System rocket assembly continues while Artemis III spacecraft incorporates enhanced manufacturing processes.

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Chinese lunar ambitions target 2030 for taikonaut landing, trailing NASA's revised timeline by several years.

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NASA Administrator Bill Nelson confirms unanimous decision to proceed with current Orion capsule design modifications.

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