[Reading Science] Artemis 3 Launch Delayed by One Year

NASA Deputy Administrator Reveals on the 7th
Elon Musk's SpaceX Faces 'Total Crisis'
Delays in 'Starship' Development, Fuel Tanker, and Lander Development

The launch of Artemis 3, humanity's second planned lunar landing mission in over 50 years, is expected to be delayed. It is pointed out that this is because Elon Musk's SpaceX is carrying an 'excessive load.'

Jim Free, Deputy Associate Administrator for NASA's Exploration Systems Development, revealed this situation on the 7th at the U.S. National Academy of Sciences Aeronautics and Space Engineering Board. He strongly suggested that the Artemis 3 launch will be postponed from December 2025 to sometime in 2026.

SpaceX is developing Starship for lunar and Mars exploration. It consists of the first-stage rocket 'Super Heavy' and the second-stage spacecraft 'Starship.' With a total length of 120 meters, it is larger than the Statue of Liberty. It is the most powerful rocket ever, with more than twice the thrust of the Saturn V rocket used during the Apollo program. In particular, the second-stage spacecraft 'Starship' is 50 meters long and 9 meters in diameter, capable of carrying up to about 100 people and 150 tons of cargo. NASA and SpaceX contracted in 2020 to develop the 'Starship HLS (Human Landing System),' a lunar landing version, to be used for the Artemis 3 mission at the end of 2025.

The problem is that SpaceX's Starship development continues to be delayed. The complete 'Super Heavy + Starship' conducted its first orbital test flight on April 20 but failed. Three of the 33 engines failed to ignite. The first stage separation failed, and the vehicle self-destructed at an altitude of 32 km. SpaceX self-assessed that they "gained a lot" since it was the first test flight and they verified the vehicle's safety by passing through the Max-Q point, where the rocket experiences maximum pressure. However, the launch aftermath was so severe that the surrounding area within several kilometers was devastated, and debris from the self-destruction scattered over 10 km, causing backlash from local residents and environmental groups. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched a safety re-investigation, and SpaceX has yet to schedule additional test launches, effectively grounding the program. Although Musk stated on Twitter on April 29 that a re-launch could happen within months, neither the FAA nor SpaceX has disclosed any investigation details or re-launch schedules since then.

Other challenges have also piled up. The design of the lunar landing version, 'Starship HLS,' has not been finalized. According to Deputy Associate Administrator Free, SpaceX and NASA recently agreed to conduct the final review for the Starship HLS design after successfully completing an in-orbit refueling experiment around Earth. SpaceX has reportedly rescheduled, and NASA is currently reviewing the design. Previously, NASA and SpaceX made an unprecedented experimental decision to launch the Starship HLS carrying astronauts and lunar rovers to the Moon with empty fuel tanks into Earth orbit, then refuel it via a separately launched supply ship. To achieve this, SpaceX must develop the Starship HLS and verify its safety through prior unmanned missions. They also need to demonstrate the challenging task of transferring cryogenic fuel in low Earth orbit.

Deputy Associate Administrator Free said, "Many launch operations must be conducted in advance before the Artemis 3 mission, so I am concerned about the December 2025 launch schedule," adding, "The difficulties SpaceX is facing are truly worrisome, and I think the Artemis 3 launch will probably be postponed to 2026." He also made it clear that the additional cost burden will fall on SpaceX. Free stated, "Since the contract is fixed-price, NASA will not incur additional expenses due to schedule delays."