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The Artemis program has experienced many delays since its inception. There is nothing more to see than Initially, it was intended that humans would set foot on the Moon again in 2024. We are in 2026 and this has not happened yet. In fact, it is scheduled for 2028. Therefore, it is not strange that dates continue to be postponed. The last of these delays has fallen on Artemis III. It was scheduled for mid-2027, but according to NASA’s latest announcement we will have to wait until the end of that year. If one piece moves, all of them are delayed. On April 27, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman testified before the House Appropriations Committee of the United States, with the aim of answering several important questions about the budget request that the agency has made to the US government for the Artemis program. One of the questions, obviously, was about dates. He wondered when the third phase of the program could be launched. To this, Isaacman assured that, after speaking with SpaceX and Blue Origin, the mission could start at the end of 2027. However, last February advertisement an earlier date, mid-2027. With this as a starting point, Artemis IV would be scheduled for early 2028 and Artemis V for the end of that year. Therefore, the normal thing now will be that both dates also have to be moved on the calendar. The role of SpaceX and Blue Origin. It is not strange that Isaacman has made reference to SpaceX and Blue Origin, since Without them it would not be possible to carry out the Artemis III mission.. In this third phase, the coupling of the Orion capsule, in which the astronauts travel, with the HLS landing system will be tested. This will be the one that will descend towards the selenite surface with two crew members on board. NASA does not have this technology, so it has asked these two private companies to be in charge of developing it. In fact, 2.8 billion euros have been invested in it. A race without a clear winner. Both SpaceX and Blue Origin are working on their respective landing systems. NASA has assured that it will keep the one that finishes first. As long as it works correctly, of course. Initially it seemed like that was going to be SpaceX. However, it has suffered several delays that have allowed Blue Origin to remain in the race. They are currently very even, although it seems that neither will be able to finish by mid-2027. There is a lot to try. Both SpaceX and Blue Origin use cryogenically cooled propellants that, without proper cooling, evaporate over time. Since the Artemis missions will be quite long, it will be necessary to refuel the HLS system several times, directly in orbit. It’s something that has never been doneso it should be thoroughly tested before sending the system into space. In addition, sufficient tests must be carried out to demonstrate both its ability to land and take off from the lunar surface. Therefore, neither of the two companies will have their HLS ready by the date initially agreed upon. And then what? Initially, it was scheduled that there would already be a manned lunar landing on Artemis III. However, the complexity of the process has led NASA to be conservative and do an initial unmanned test. The astronauts will travel in the Orion spacecraft. However, once it is proven that it docks properly with the HLS, they will all remain in lunar orbit. The lander system will travel to the surface of the Moon without anyone on board. Later, on Artemis IV, two of the astronauts will go to HLS and will be able to set foot on the Moon. In Artemis V exactly the same will be donealthough the first steps to build a lunar base will already begin to be taken. This should happen in 2028; but, given what we have seen, it may possibly be much later. Images | POT In Xataka | Starlink’s dominance in space begins to move: another company already has permission for a constellation of 4,000 satellites