NASA is recalibrating its ambitious Artemis program, aiming for a more streamlined path back to the Moon. Recent changes announced by NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman prioritize accelerating launch cadence and reducing complexity, but the adjustments also raise questions about the roles of the lunar landers – SpaceX’s Starship and Blue Origin’s Blue Moon – in achieving the ultimate goal of a sustained lunar presence. The revised timeline now targets crewed lunar landings with Artemis IV and V in 2028, following an initial orbital test flight with Artemis III in mid-2027.
The shift comes as NASA seeks to overcome hurdles in the program’s development and execution. A key component of the overhaul involves standardizing the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, beginning with Artemis IV. This means adopting a recent upper stage, likely the Centaur V built by United Launch Alliance, for future missions. According to Isaacman, this standardization is “the only way forward” for the American lunar program, aiming to cut costs and speed up manufacturing.
The new Centaur V upper stage is expected to offer increased propulsive capabilities, potentially allowing the Orion spacecraft to reach a more favorable orbit around the Moon – closer to the lunar surface – than previously planned with the existing Exploration Upper Stage. A closer orbit would require less energy for the Human Landing System (HLS) to descend to the surface, improving mission efficiency. Research detailed in a 2022 paper on Earth-Moon orbit classifications highlights that the EPO/CoLA orbit, a potential trajectory, brings the lander to within just 100 km of the Moon’s surface, facilitating a single burn for descent.
Though, the changes place renewed emphasis on the capabilities of the lander contractors, SpaceX and Blue Origin, to deliver on their commitments. While NASA adjusts the rocket infrastructure, the success of the Artemis program hinges on the landers’ ability to safely and reliably transport astronauts to the lunar surface.
SpaceX, in particular, is not proposing significant architectural changes to its Starship HLS in response to the accelerated timeline. Instead, the company intends to prioritize the HLS program within its broader Starship development efforts. A major challenge for Starship as a lunar lander remains the need for numerous uncrewed tanker launches to refuel the vehicle in low-Earth orbit before its journey to the Moon. Estimates suggest this could require one to two dozen launches per lunar flight.
Previously, discussions explored the possibility of an optimized, expendable Starship tanker stage to maximize propellant delivery per launch. However, SpaceX founder Elon Musk dismissed this idea, expressing confidence that, once Starship achieves a higher launch rate, the tanker missions will not be a significant impediment. This suggests SpaceX believes scaling up Starship production and launch frequency will be more effective than redesigning the tanker architecture.
Artemis III: An Orbital Test Flight
The revised plan designates Artemis III, previously slated for a lunar landing, as an orbital test flight. Launching in mid-2027, Artemis III will focus on testing the Orion capsule and the capabilities of the two competing lunar landers – Starship and Blue Moon – in lunar orbit. This approach allows NASA to validate the landers’ performance before committing to a crewed landing attempt.
Challenges with the SLS Upper Stage Transition
Switching to the Centaur V upper stage for Artemis IV presents its own set of challenges. According to reporting from Proxima Report, modifications will be required to accommodate the Orion spacecraft’s weight and ensure structural integrity. These include strengthening the upper stage, relocating propellant attachment points, and conducting extensive wind tunnel and fueling tests. All of this work must be completed within two years to meet the 2028 launch target.
What’s Next for Artemis?
The coming months will be critical for the Artemis program. NASA is working to resolve a helium flow issue that has delayed the Artemis II mission, currently scheduled for 2026. Simultaneously, the agency will be closely monitoring the progress of both SpaceX and Blue Origin in developing their respective lunar landers. The success of Artemis IV and V will depend on the seamless integration of the standardized SLS rocket, the new Centaur V upper stage, and the reliable performance of the HLS.
The changes announced by Isaacman represent a significant shift in strategy for NASA’s lunar ambitions. While the path forward remains complex, the agency is determined to accelerate the timeline and establish a sustainable presence on the Moon.
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