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  "path": "/science/nasa-major-change-moon-landing-plans-artemis-ii",
  "publishedAt": "2026-02-28T03:34:40.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "Veteran Nasa engineer declares aliens are REAL - but have yet to reach Earth",
    "Unmissable rare space phenomenon will see SIX planets align this week over Britain",
    "Scientists have uncovered a massive hole growing 13 TIMES cosmic 'speed limit'",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nNasa has announced a major overhaul of its Artemis programme, inserting an additional mission before astronauts attempt to land on the Moon for the first time since the Apollo era.\n\nUnder the original timeline, Artemis II would carry a crew around the Moon in April, followed by a lunar landing with Artemis III in 2028.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThat schedule has now been significantly revised.\n\nArtemis III will instead remain in low-Earth orbit in 2027, where astronauts will rehearse docking with a lunar lander rather than descending to the surface.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\nNasa insists the extra step will not delay its broader ambitions, with one - or possibly two - Moon landings still targeted for 2028 under Artemis IV and V.\n\nAdministrator Jared Isaacman outlined the reasoning at a press conference, warning against long gaps between missions.\n\nHe described the previous approach as “not a pathway to success\".\n\n\"You don't go from one uncrewed launch of SLS [Artemis I], wait three years, go around the Moon [Artemis II], wait three years and land on it,\" Mr Isaacman said.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nHe added that it would be safer to test critical systems closer to Earth.\n\n\"I would certainly much rather have the astronauts testing out the integrated systems of the lander and Orion in low-Earth orbit than on the Moon,\" the US space agency administrator said.\n\nMr Isaacman also highlighted the opportunity to test spacesuits before astronauts rely on them during surface operations.\n\nMeanwhile, Artemis II - which will carry four astronauts around the Moon’s far side - has faced technical setbacks.\n\n### SPACE - READ THE LATEST:\n\n\n\n\n  * Veteran Nasa engineer declares aliens are REAL - but have yet to reach Earth\n  * Unmissable rare space phenomenon will see SIX planets align this week over Britain\n  * Scientists have uncovered a massive hole growing 13 TIMES cosmic 'speed limit'\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nA helium leak in the Space Launch System rocket forced Nasa to delay a planned March launch.\n\nThe rocket has since been rolled back to the Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy Space Center in Florida for repairs.\n\nApril is now the earliest possible launch window, though the exact timing will depend on the progress of the fixes.\n\nA key piece of the lunar strategy remains unresolved - the choice of landing vehicle.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nSpaceX is contracted to build the lander using its Starship rocket, but development delays have prompted NASA to request a faster proposal.\n\nJeff Bezos’s Blue Origin has also been asked to accelerate its rival lander timeline.\n\nThe low-Earth orbit docking test could involve either or both spacecraft.\n\nThe shake-up comes as competition intensifies in the new space race, with China advancing towards its goal of landing astronauts on the Moon by 2030.\n\nBoth Washington and Beijing are targeting the lunar south pole, vying for prime territory to establish a long-term presence.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards:The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "Nasa announces major change to Moon landing plans with days until mission"
}