NASA moves closer to returning humans to Moon
The White House on Friday proposed reducing NASA’s 2027 budget by $5.6 billion, including a $3.4 billion reduction to the agency’s science division, representing a 23% cut. The proposal comes as NASA’s new leadership continues developing a series of ambitious missions under the United States’ flagship lunar exploration program.
Meanwhile, NASA achieved a major milestone this week as four astronauts launched from Florida aboard the Artemis II mission, embarking on a high-stakes 10-day journey around the Moon. The mission marks the United States’ most significant step in decades toward returning humans to the lunar surface, as global competition in space exploration intensifies.
The powerful 32-storey rocket lifted off from Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, drawing tens of thousands of spectators eager to witness the historic launch.
The Artemis II crew includes NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, alongside Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen. Their mission will take them on a nearly 10-day trip around the Moon and back to Earth, traveling farther into deep space than any human crew in more than half a century.
Launch director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson praised the mission’s significance, saying the crew carries the determination of the Artemis team, the spirit of international cooperation, and the aspirations of future generations of explorers.
Shortly after liftoff, commander Reid Wiseman described the view from the spacecraft, noting that the Moon was already visible as the crew began their journey.
During the first one to two days of flight, the astronauts will remain in high Earth orbit conducting critical system checks. These tests include evaluating Orion’s life-support capabilities, propulsion systems, navigation technology, and communications equipment to ensure the spacecraft is fully prepared for deep-space travel.
Artemis II is a key step in NASA’s broader strategy to establish a sustained human presence on the Moon later this decade and pave the way for future missions to Mars.
