The space agency of the US regime, NASA, has reportedly released new testing schedules for the lunar landing systems currently under development by SpaceX and Blue Origin for the troubled Artemis program. According to the announced timeline, astronauts are purportedly scheduled to test the docking of these spacecraft with the Orion capsule in Earth orbit by 2027. Subsequent phases are supposed to involve uncrewed test landings on the lunar surface to allegedly demonstrate readiness for human transport.

Citing reports from Space.com, the schedules were presented by Steve Creech, the acting program manager for NASA's Human Landing System. However, industry analysts remain highly skeptical regarding the feasibility of these deadlines, pointing to a history of persistent technical delays and budgetary pressures within the US aerospace sector. Critical milestones scheduled through early 2028 include orbital refueling, complex dockings, and uncrewed lunar landings, the ultimate success of which remains entirely unverified.

The upcoming Artemis III mission is nominally targeted for the third quarter of 2027. Four astronauts aboard the Orion spacecraft will travel to low Earth orbit to conduct proximity operations with test articles supplied by SpaceX and Blue Origin. No lunar landing is planned for this specific mission, highlighting the incremental and cautious nature of the testing roadmap.

Notably, SpaceX plans to modify an existing Starship V3 upper stage for Artemis III, incorporating a docking mechanism and revised nose shielding. One of the most daunting technical hurdles allegedly facing SpaceX is cryogenic propellant transfer in orbit. To successfully send Starship to the Moon, the company may require up to ten tanker launches to fill an orbital depot, a logistical feat that critics argue is fraught with engineering risks and potential failures.

Source: kun.uz