NASA administrator Jared Isaacman has expressed concern regarding the ongoing race for the Moon. He believes that China may succeed in sending humans to the lunar surface before the United States. According to Isaacman, a landing by Chinese astronauts on the Moon is inevitable. The primary challenge is for the U.S. to push forward in order to outpace its competitor.
Another NASA official, Carlos Garcia-Galán, has highlighted the tasks ahead. The U.S. still lacks sufficient data to send humans to the Moon and establish a base there. Such efforts require new calculations and further preparation.
The Artemis program has undergone certain changes. The first crewed landing on the Moon has been postponed until 2028. It will take place within the framework of the Artemis IV mission. Prior to that, in 2027, unmanned flights are planned.
NASA hopes to secure safe access to the Moon by 2029. At that time, scientific experiments will also begin. Later, the agency will commence the construction of a lunar base. A permanent presence of astronauts is planned from 2032 onwards.
