Nasa sends four astronauts around the moon in renewed space race with China
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Apr 25
Nasa sends four astronauts around the moon in renewed space race with China
8 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Apr 25
Nasa’s Artemis II mission marks the first crewed journey near the moon since 1972, while China accelerates plans for its own human lunar landing by 2030.
Both the US and China aim to build inhabited lunar bases, seek rare resources, and test technologies for future Mars missions, with private companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin developing lunar landers.
China’s consistent progress and investment challenge Nasa’s timeline, while international collaboration with China grows despite US legal restrictions, intensifying strategic and scientific competition for lunar leadership.
With spacesuit development lagging, is NASA's 2028 Moon landing goal still achievable?
Beyond technical data, what did Artemis II reveal about our psychological readiness for deep space?
NASA is abandoning SLS rocket upgrades. Is this a clever shortcut or a high-stakes gamble?
The crew's toilet failed. What other critical life-support vulnerabilities did this mission expose?
Can NASA solve the vision-damaging SANS syndrome before attempting long-term lunar missions?
After 50 years, humans saw a lunar eclipse. What new science did this unique view provide?
Artemis II Post-Flight Analysis: Key System Validations and Urine Vent Line Failure Impacting Artemis III
Overview
The Artemis II mission, launched flawlessly by the upgraded Space Launch System on April 10, 2026, successfully tested the Orion spacecraft’s deep space capabilities during a precise lunar flyby and high-speed reentry. The spacecraft’s thermal protection system performed exceptionally, ensuring a safe splashdown and validating its design for future crewed missions. Despite a minor urine vent line failure caused by ice blockage, the mission provided critical data and confidence that directly support preparations for Artemis III in 2027. Artemis III will focus on deep space operations, including docking with commercial lunar landers, paving the way for the first crewed lunar landing on Artemis IV and advancing NASA’s long-term goal of human Mars exploration.