NASA to spend $41.5bn on Artemis but only one moon landing - space agency fears budget shortfall

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) continues to develop the Artemis lunar programme. However, the agency this week voiced concerns about a possible budget shortfall to fund the project.

Here's What We Know

The space agency still does not know when it will be able to send humans to the moon on a regular basis. Yes, a landing is planned for late 2025, when the Artemis III mission will take place. However, one will be the only one within the next five years, and there is a high probability that the deadline will be pushed back.

On the other hand, the costs of the programme are constantly increasing. In particular, the budget for Artemis reaches $41.5 billion from fiscal year 2024 to 2028, said Jim Free, chief representative of NASA for deep-space manned missions.

The department proposes to allocate $4 billion for construction of the Kunar Gateway station, which will be located on the Moon's orbit. It would be a good intermediate point in the route, but there is no need for the station to go to the moon.

During his remarks, Jim Free warned that even with the US President's budget proposal, there is a risk of a shortfall in funds for the Artemis lunar programme. At the same time, the chairman of the advisory committee, Wayne Hale, stressed that the US Congress should direct taxpayers' money to priority causes, despite the desire to increase funding for Artemis.

Source: arstechnica