There have been major delays in NASA’s Artemis program which have caused setbacks for astronauts flying to the Moon as a part of that mission. This comes as Artemis II, which is intended to carry four astronauts into a lunar orbit, was moved to April 2026.

There have been major delays in NASA’s Artemis program which have caused setbacks for astronauts flying to the Moon as a part of that mission. This comes as Artemis II, which is intended to carry four astronauts into a lunar orbit, was moved to April 2026. Meanwhile, the initial plan of sending the astronauts around the Moon and not landing there will take place in September 2025. This date was already postponed once, from November of this year. The follow-up mission, Artemis III, scheduled for the following year, aims at the mid-2027 lunar landing. Also read: Was 'mini-moon' asteroid once part of our Moon? NASA will try to find out when it returns Why is the mission being delayed? NASA Administrator Bill Nelson attributed these delays to problems with the Orion crew capsule's heat shield. During a test flight in 2022, when the capsule flew without astronauts, the heat shield was damaged. It developed cracks and erosion as it re-entered Earth's atmosphere, raising concerns about its safety for future missions with crew onboard. To fix this, NASA has decided to change the capsule’s return path for the upcoming Artemis II mission, while keeping the current heat shield design to avoid further delays that would come from redesigning it completely. The Artemis program was launched during former United States President Donald Trump’s first term and aims to establish a permanent human presence on the Moon, with plans to build lunar bases for future Mars missions. However, the program has faced issues like rising costs and technical difficulties. By 2025, the estimated cost of Artemis is around $93 billion, and each launch of NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) costs about $2 billion. Watch: Why is NASA pushing back Moon mission timelines? × NASA's commitment to Artemis Nelson also highlighted the importance of sticking to the new deadlines to keep the US as a leader in space, especially with China planning to send astronauts to the Moon by 2030. He said the US still aims to land astronauts on the Moon before China, showing how competitive space exploration has become. Under Nelson’s leadership, the Artemis program has been the American space agency’s top priority. Former NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, appointed by Trump, played a key role in launching the Artemis program and securing funding from Congress. Notably, India is a signatory to the Artemis Accords, a framework for international cooperation in lunar exploration. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA's Artemis Moon Mission delayed, new schedule set for 2026 and 2027

NASA’s manager for the Commercial Crew program, Steve Stich was up-front about Boeing's and US space agency's differences in opinions about the rescue plan for Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams. After several discussions, the aerospace company and the government body concluded that it was not safe for the astronauts to be aboard the faulty starliner during its journey to Earth.&nbsp;

The Boeing spacecraft is set to embark on the interstellar ride back to Earth without the crew on 5 September and is expected to reach Earth on 7 September. Meanwhile, Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore were asked to wait at the International Space Station For the SpaceX Crew-9 mission to rescue them in February 2025. The original mission was completely discarded because of the Starliner's defective state due to helium leaks and thruster malfunctions. The astronaut duo was supposed to complete their to-and-fro journey from ISS to Earth on Starliner, but the safety of the astronauts is being prioritised, and the situation is currently not in Boeing’s favour.&nbsp;

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NASA’s Steve Stich on Wednesday confirmed in a teleconference that the discussion leading up to the final decision in favour of SpaceX for the rescue mission led to &nbsp;“some tension in the room.” He said, “I would say, anytime you’re in a meeting of this magnitude, where there's this kind of decision, there is some tension in the room.”&nbsp;

Stitch also highlighted that Boeing believed in the model created by them that tried to predict thruster degradation for the rest of the flight. The final decision was based on the ability of the starliner thrusters to bring the astronauts back. Dana Weigel, the ISS program manager of NASA, agreed that Boeing reassured the agency of their belief in the spacecraft. However, she also mentioned that the MNC was not in the same position as them.&nbsp;

<h2>NASA made the final decision</h2>

Weigel said, "Boeing is not in a position, and it would be unfair of them to ask, to weigh into a risk versus risk trade for this scenario that NASA was weighing, which was bringing them home in the Starliner crewed or coming up with an alternate plan,” and ultimately the ball was in NASA’s court.&nbsp;

(with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

NASA’s manager for the Commercial Crew program, Steve Stich was up-front about Boeing's and US space agency's differences in opinions about the rescue plan for Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams.

NASA’s manager for the Commercial Crew program, Steve Stich was up-front about Boeing's and US space agency's differences in opinions about the rescue plan for Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams. After several discussions, the aerospace company and the government body concluded that it was not safe for the astronauts to be aboard the faulty starliner during its journey to Earth. The Boeing spacecraft is set to embark on the interstellar ride back to Earth without the crew on 5 September and is expected to reach Earth on 7 September. Meanwhile, Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore were asked to wait at the International Space Station For the SpaceX Crew-9 mission to rescue them in February 2025. The original mission was completely discarded because of the Starliner's defective state due to helium leaks and thruster malfunctions. The astronaut duo was supposed to complete their to-and-fro journey from ISS to Earth on Starliner, but the safety of the astronauts is being prioritised, and the situation is currently not in Boeing’s favour. Also Read|Georgia shooting: 14-year-old shooter was on FBI's radar for over a year| NASA’s Steve Stich on Wednesday confirmed in a teleconference that the discussion leading up to the final decision in favour of SpaceX for the rescue mission led to “some tension in the room.” He said, “I would say, anytime you’re in a meeting of this magnitude, where there's this kind of decision, there is some tension in the room.” Stitch also highlighted that Boeing believed in the model created by them that tried to predict thruster degradation for the rest of the flight. The final decision was based on the ability of the starliner thrusters to bring the astronauts back. Dana Weigel, the ISS program manager of NASA, agreed that Boeing reassured the agency of their belief in the spacecraft. However, she also mentioned that the MNC was not in the same position as them. NASA made the final decision Weigel said, "Boeing is not in a position, and it would be unfair of them to ask, to weigh into a risk versus risk trade for this scenario that NASA was weighing, which was bringing them home in the Starliner crewed or coming up with an alternate plan,” and ultimately the ball was in NASA’s court. (with inputs from agencies)

Steve Stich admits “tensions in room” over Sunita William’s rescue plan

During a recent press conference, it was revealed that NASA is grappling with an unforeseen situation, which has led astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry&nbsp;Wilmore to get stuck on the International Space Station (ISS) as they wait for their return to Earth. What was supposed to be a short mission of two months has now been extended till at least February 2025.

NASA astronauts Williams and Wilmore took off aboard Boeing's Starliner on June 5 and reached their destination, the ISS, on June 6.

According to the schedule, they were supposed to return around mid-June. However, plans had to be adjusted after various issues, including the propulsion system, helium leaks, and thruster malfunction were detected in the Starliner’s capsule.&nbsp;

Ken Bowersox, associate administrator of NASA’s Space Operations Mission Directorate, said “We’re reaching a point where that last week in August we really should be making a call, if not sooner.”

This comes as the Starliner’s crew and authorities are focused on the safe return of the two astronauts to Earth. They are said to be trying their best to bring Williams and Wilmore back on Starliner. However, the option of using the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft for the return mission is also being considered, just to be on the safe side.

Joel Montalbano, deputy associate administrator of NASA’s Space Operations Mission Directorate, said astronauts prepare for every possibility before their human spaceflight.&nbsp;

He said, “Butch [Barry Wilmore] and Suni [Sunita Williams] said ahead of their launch that they know this mission might not be perfect. Human spaceflights are inherently risky, and as astronauts, we accept that.”&nbsp;

Montalbano said that if both astronauts did not return on Starliner, they would have to spend almost eight months in orbit. “They will have about eight months in orbit. If the two astronauts come on the SpaceX craft, they will return to Earth by February 2025,” he added.

Recently, NASA has conveyed that Starliner would not be used for the astronauts’ return.&nbsp;

However, SpaceX can be the possible choice for NASA’s Crew-9 mission to the ISS, which is scheduled for September 24. This will enable the two astronauts to return home by 2025.

In case&nbsp;of an emergency, there is a possibility that the two astronauts could be unsuited, said Montalbano.

When asked if the Starliner would be uncrewed or if any special equipment had been allotted for them, NASA said, “From a suits standpoint, they are not interchangeable. You can’t have a Boeing suit in SpaceX or a SpaceX suit in a Boeing vehicle, so that would not be the plan. If the Starliner undocks and only the Dragon is available, they might have to return unsuited on the Dragon.”&nbsp;

The extra SpaceX flight suits will be sent through the Crew-9 team, Montalbano said.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

During a recent press conference, it was revealed that NASA is grappling with an unforeseen situation, which has led astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore to get stuck on the International Space Station (ISS) as they wait for their return to Earth.

During a recent press conference, it was revealed that NASA is grappling with an unforeseen situation, which has led astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore to get stuck on the International Space Station (ISS) as they wait for their return to Earth. What was supposed to be a short mission of two months has now been extended till at least February 2025. NASA astronauts Williams and Wilmore took off aboard Boeing's Starliner on June 5 and reached their destination, the ISS, on June 6. According to the schedule, they were supposed to return around mid-June. However, plans had to be adjusted after various issues, including the propulsion system, helium leaks, and thruster malfunction were detected in the Starliner’s capsule. Ken Bowersox, associate administrator of NASA’s Space Operations Mission Directorate, said “We’re reaching a point where that last week in August we really should be making a call, if not sooner.” This comes as the Starliner’s crew and authorities are focused on the safe return of the two astronauts to Earth. They are said to be trying their best to bring Williams and Wilmore back on Starliner. However, the option of using the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft for the return mission is also being considered, just to be on the safe side. Joel Montalbano, deputy associate administrator of NASA’s Space Operations Mission Directorate, said astronauts prepare for every possibility before their human spaceflight. He said, “Butch [Barry Wilmore] and Suni [Sunita Williams] said ahead of their launch that they know this mission might not be perfect. Human spaceflights are inherently risky, and as astronauts, we accept that.” Montalbano said that if both astronauts did not return on Starliner, they would have to spend almost eight months in orbit. “They will have about eight months in orbit. If the two astronauts come on the SpaceX craft, they will return to Earth by February 2025,” he added. Recently, NASA has conveyed that Starliner would not be used for the astronauts’ return. However, SpaceX can be the possible choice for NASA’s Crew-9 mission to the ISS, which is scheduled for September 24. This will enable the two astronauts to return home by 2025. In case of an emergency, there is a possibility that the two astronauts could be unsuited, said Montalbano. When asked if the Starliner would be uncrewed or if any special equipment had been allotted for them, NASA said, “From a suits standpoint, they are not interchangeable. You can’t have a Boeing suit in SpaceX or a SpaceX suit in a Boeing vehicle, so that would not be the plan. If the Starliner undocks and only the Dragon is available, they might have to return unsuited on the Dragon.” The extra SpaceX flight suits will be sent through the Crew-9 team, Montalbano said. (With inputs from agencies)

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NASA's Artemis Moon Mission delayed, new schedule set for 2026 and 2027

Steve Stich admits “tensions in room” over Sunita William’s rescue plan

Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore could be stuck in space until Feb 2025. Here's why NASA is in a conundrum

'Space tourists': First-ever all private astronaut team splashes down safely after a historic trip to ISS

NASA Astronauts return to Earth | Dragon capsule splashes down in Gulf of Mexico