Exciting news is on the horizon as NASA Administrator Bill Nelson and his team are gearing up to share an update on the Artemis lunar program. The press conference is set to take place at NASA’s headquarters in Washington at 1 pm EST (6 pm GMT) and will be live-streamed on NASA+.

During the conference, NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman, commander of the upcoming Artemis II mission, will be in attendance. Originally planned for 2024, Artemis II has been rescheduled for next September. Wiseman will be joined by Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen on this groundbreaking mission. Notably, Koch and Glover will make history as the first woman and person of color to travel to deep space.

As excitement grows for the announcement, there is speculation about what will be revealed. It could involve details about the launch window for Artemis II or potential concerns regarding Artemis III, the mission set to return humans to the Moon after over 50 years.

A key component of the Artemis III mission is the lunar descent module provided by SpaceX, utilizing their Starship. However, challenges remain as the Starship has yet to demonstrate safe vertical landing or relaunch capabilities, crucial for a successful Moon landing. Additionally, SpaceX is expected to demonstrate refueling in space in 2025 as part of the mission preparations.

NASA stresses the importance of the propellant transfer test in certifying the lander for future missions. Any delays in Starship testing could potentially push back the Artemis III mission from its current target date of September 2026. A recent analysis by the Government Accountability Office even suggests a potential delay until 2028.

Stay tuned for more updates on the Artemis lunar program and the exciting advancements in space exploration. NASA is dedicated to ensuring astronaut safety and mission success as they continue their journey back to the Moon and beyond.