This might have been a good idea around 20 years ago.
They launch in a couple of weeks.
moritsunee on
I fear for any manned launch in this mess. Maybe disaster is the goal though, seeing how much external pressure there is to maintain a US decline.
Also I hope their vibe coded ejection system does not need to windows update when they need to use it.
RumsfeldIsntDead on
I’m 100% in favor of all this stuff getting delayed until after Trump
SolomonBlack on
And to think r/space told me my doubts about a permanent moon base were poppycock.
sojuz151 on
SLS was a major mistake, and the level of mismanagement and wasted money is staggering.
Gastroid on
I look forward to next week’s announcement of another major overhaul.
sithelephant on
It is remarkable that the goals – in the crudest terms, twentyish missions and x tons for $B are damn nearly identical for Apollo and Artemis, to within very uncomfortable margins.
Assuming that starship doesn’t dramatically reduce prices and increase capabilities.
I do wish that a significant fraction of NASAs budget had been in contracts offering $/kg to LEO and other targets.
With a comparable fraction of the budget going on developing suitable hardware at that $/kg metric.
Hot_Blackberry_6895 on
China is gonna win this one.
PeraDetlic90 on
At least Isaacman is transparent about these issues
AgreeableEmploy1884 on
TL;DR
Artemis III is rescoped to a LEO mission similar to Apollo 9 in 2027. Artemis III will dock with either Blue Moon or Starship in LEO.
Artemis IV is the initial landing in 2028.
EUS is cancelled, meaning block 1B and 2 are dead. Artemis IV+ will use a standardized upper stage.
HLS acceleration work continues.
I think this still has to pass by Congress so it’s not finalized.
micahpmtn on
How do we keep fucking up our space program? (Rhetorical question). NASA is the ultimate definition of the Peter Principle, on an order of magnitude that keeps getting bigger each generation. We’ve learned nothing.
R-O-Stu on
There seems to be some good ideas in here.
Launching lunar landers in LEO to test functions (like Apollo 9) seems like it should have been the plan from the start.
Also, the comment on ‘whichever lander is ready by 2028’ seems to be a soft confirmation they’ll be more likely to take the Blue Moon option since lunar starship is nowhere even close to being ready
Increased launch cadence for SLS launches should also prevent some of the teething issues we saw with getting Artemis I and now II launched.
My only hope is that this actually pans out – we may find the gap between the vision and reality grows as time goes on. (Especially given the awful state the US in right now)
Either way, I’ll remain primarily excited for Artemis II for now. Whatever the future holds, a launch of astronauts to the lunar vicinity in the here and now should hopefully create a lot if buzz!
cpthornman on
Yeah I think we all knew block 1b and 2 were never going to happen. At least they’re finally admitting how horribly limited this rocket is.
Imaginary_Ganache_29 on
The only way the plans that Issacman is announcing is possible if with a major funding increase for NASA. Unfortunately, NASA continues to have funding cut.
LifeOfHi on
How many overhauls are we at now?
NorcalGGMU on
10 years to get to Mars seems optimistic if nasa is getting back to basics… jebus
jch60 on
This is what happens when Congress makes engineering decisions (take it or leave it) and NASA is forced to go along with it.
Leakyboatlouie on
Isaacman is prioritizing crew safety, as he should. The existing (or rather, former) plans for Artemis were simply not realistic.
BareNakedSole on
Like re-learning how not to make rockets fall apart?
frankduxvandamme on
Artemis III was never realistically going to land on the moon by 2028 because the landers are nowhere near ready.
But now we’re expecting one or both to be ready for a low earth orbit docking maneuver in 2027 along with the lunar EVA suit which is to be tested as well? What magical timeline are we living in?
Oh, and also there might now be two Artemis missions in 2028? That might be the single biggest BS statement ever to come out of this program.
My prediction: Artemis II launches in July. It is mostly successful, but issues remain. Artemis III launches in 2029, but not before Trump threatens to pull funding and DRPs more of the staff.
Vinidesigner on
54 years waiting, and they are chicken outing. This way China will plant a flag there too.
SailorRick on
There was no mention of getting Boeing off of the cost-plus tit. Despite all of Boeing’s failures, they will make out like bandits with this new approach.
Stelmosember on
This isn’t like brain surgery man.
Seanspeed on
Do they even have the money/resources to just start adding in more test flights?
M_Venez on
Long story short they added an additional launch to rule out risks prior to the 2028 launch to the moon. However, I am a manager in this god forsaken industry and these are the most over-engineered assemblies that should be built in months, not years. You have these insane requirements causing paralysis by analysis. My point is, you got an additional launch which adds more scope to schedule which will undoubtedly push out the 2028 launch the way these programs work
Malcolm_Morin on
We’re never going back to the Moon.
Let-Him-Cook_w_Butta on
When youve never done something before you need to vet everything before proceeding.
Actual_Ad_9843 on
The amount of people dooming here is ridiculous. This revised plan seems genuinely like the best way forward to try and get things done, like yes this program has not been well-managed, but this plan here is about as good as you’re going to get with the cards NASA currently holds.
terrymr on
Blah blah blah another 20 years of messing around bud before we get there.
TheDancingRobot on
Step #1: Get those idiots at the white house the *fuck* away from NASA.
Step #2: Lock the doors.
CarlJH on
And Lunar Gateway? Is that still in the cards?
LeftLiner on
Seems like a good plan. Timeline still feels way too optimistic.
39 Comments
This might have been a good idea around 20 years ago.
They launch in a couple of weeks.
I fear for any manned launch in this mess. Maybe disaster is the goal though, seeing how much external pressure there is to maintain a US decline.
Also I hope their vibe coded ejection system does not need to windows update when they need to use it.
I’m 100% in favor of all this stuff getting delayed until after Trump
And to think r/space told me my doubts about a permanent moon base were poppycock.
SLS was a major mistake, and the level of mismanagement and wasted money is staggering.
I look forward to next week’s announcement of another major overhaul.
It is remarkable that the goals – in the crudest terms, twentyish missions and x tons for $B are damn nearly identical for Apollo and Artemis, to within very uncomfortable margins.
Assuming that starship doesn’t dramatically reduce prices and increase capabilities.
I do wish that a significant fraction of NASAs budget had been in contracts offering $/kg to LEO and other targets.
With a comparable fraction of the budget going on developing suitable hardware at that $/kg metric.
China is gonna win this one.
At least Isaacman is transparent about these issues
TL;DR
Artemis III is rescoped to a LEO mission similar to Apollo 9 in 2027. Artemis III will dock with either Blue Moon or Starship in LEO.
Artemis IV is the initial landing in 2028.
EUS is cancelled, meaning block 1B and 2 are dead. Artemis IV+ will use a standardized upper stage.
HLS acceleration work continues.
I think this still has to pass by Congress so it’s not finalized.
How do we keep fucking up our space program? (Rhetorical question). NASA is the ultimate definition of the Peter Principle, on an order of magnitude that keeps getting bigger each generation. We’ve learned nothing.
There seems to be some good ideas in here.
Launching lunar landers in LEO to test functions (like Apollo 9) seems like it should have been the plan from the start.
Also, the comment on ‘whichever lander is ready by 2028’ seems to be a soft confirmation they’ll be more likely to take the Blue Moon option since lunar starship is nowhere even close to being ready
Increased launch cadence for SLS launches should also prevent some of the teething issues we saw with getting Artemis I and now II launched.
My only hope is that this actually pans out – we may find the gap between the vision and reality grows as time goes on. (Especially given the awful state the US in right now)
Either way, I’ll remain primarily excited for Artemis II for now. Whatever the future holds, a launch of astronauts to the lunar vicinity in the here and now should hopefully create a lot if buzz!
Yeah I think we all knew block 1b and 2 were never going to happen. At least they’re finally admitting how horribly limited this rocket is.
The only way the plans that Issacman is announcing is possible if with a major funding increase for NASA. Unfortunately, NASA continues to have funding cut.
How many overhauls are we at now?
10 years to get to Mars seems optimistic if nasa is getting back to basics… jebus
This is what happens when Congress makes engineering decisions (take it or leave it) and NASA is forced to go along with it.
Isaacman is prioritizing crew safety, as he should. The existing (or rather, former) plans for Artemis were simply not realistic.
Like re-learning how not to make rockets fall apart?
Artemis III was never realistically going to land on the moon by 2028 because the landers are nowhere near ready.
But now we’re expecting one or both to be ready for a low earth orbit docking maneuver in 2027 along with the lunar EVA suit which is to be tested as well? What magical timeline are we living in?
Oh, and also there might now be two Artemis missions in 2028? That might be the single biggest BS statement ever to come out of this program.
My prediction: Artemis II launches in July. It is mostly successful, but issues remain. Artemis III launches in 2029, but not before Trump threatens to pull funding and DRPs more of the staff.
54 years waiting, and they are chicken outing. This way China will plant a flag there too.
There was no mention of getting Boeing off of the cost-plus tit. Despite all of Boeing’s failures, they will make out like bandits with this new approach.
This isn’t like brain surgery man.
Do they even have the money/resources to just start adding in more test flights?
Long story short they added an additional launch to rule out risks prior to the 2028 launch to the moon. However, I am a manager in this god forsaken industry and these are the most over-engineered assemblies that should be built in months, not years. You have these insane requirements causing paralysis by analysis. My point is, you got an additional launch which adds more scope to schedule which will undoubtedly push out the 2028 launch the way these programs work
We’re never going back to the Moon.
When youve never done something before you need to vet everything before proceeding.
The amount of people dooming here is ridiculous. This revised plan seems genuinely like the best way forward to try and get things done, like yes this program has not been well-managed, but this plan here is about as good as you’re going to get with the cards NASA currently holds.
Blah blah blah another 20 years of messing around bud before we get there.
Step #1: Get those idiots at the white house the *fuck* away from NASA.
Step #2: Lock the doors.
And Lunar Gateway? Is that still in the cards?
Seems like a good plan. Timeline still feels way too optimistic.
A thorough explanation of the Artemis program
https://youtu.be/OoJsPvmFixU
Back to basics, first we have to decide once and for all if the moon is made out of cheese or not
Good riddance to the added nonsense. Focus on the goal, get rid of all the crap slowing things down.
NASA seems like it’s operating in 1990. Old technology, bloated timelines, pathetic goals.
It’s hard to get excited about this level of mediocrity.
Issacman is the most impressive Trump appointee.
His decisions seem based in reality and he is again emphasizing safety first.
I hope he is successful.
“We have to get back to basics” is an overused phrase from poor leadership.
What do you want to bet a private company will make it to the moon before NASA?