Mars Sample Return is not the only mission that could be modified for technical and budgetary reasons. According to Ars Technica sources, the NASA would have thought of two alternative options for Artemis III, as it seems certain that the current roadmap will not be respected. The return of the astronauts on the Moon will probably be postponed.
Docking between Orion and Starship?
Following the Artemis I mission, NASA postponed the missions Artemis II and III approximately one year (September 2025 and September 2026, respectively) to improve the spacecraft’s thermal protection and life support system Orion.
Based on information received by Ars Technica, a moon landing in September 2026 is practically impossible. In addition to the Orion problems there are two other “constraints”. SpaceX has yet to build a lander (modified version of Starship), while Axiom Space has not yet completed the spacesuits.
The Artemis III mission is also quite complex, as it involves operations never tested before, including the docking between Orion and Starship in lunar orbit, the landing of Starship with two astronauts and the subsequent take-off from the surface towards the Orion. NASA would therefore have studied two alternatives.
The first involves docking between the Orion spacecraft (with astronauts on board and launched by the SLS rocket) and Starship in low Earth orbit. The habitability of the SpaceX rocket will also be tested. The second, less likely option involves docking between Orion and Lunar Gateway, the small space station (currently under construction) that will orbit the Moon.
NASA has communicated that it will try to respect the current roadmap. The final decision will be made after evaluating the progress and availability of all necessary vehicles. Obviously the priority is always to guarantee the safety of the crew.
