WASHINGTON, D.C. (Dec. 5) – The Coalition for Deep Space Exploration (CDSE) supports NASA’s announcement of a schedule update for the Artemis-II and Artemis-III missions providing the incoming administration a sound path forward for the program. CDSE shares NASA’s optimism for the future of Artemis and the excitement of returning to the Moon soon. The announced schedule adjustment recognizes the reality that as industry develops the complex pieces required to return humans to the Moon, the Artemis program will encounter both known and unknown challenges, and as they appear, industry is solving them. No company or development process is immune to obstacles when attempting great things, yet all must be held to a singular standard where crew safety remains the paramount priority.
Space Policy Directive 1 (SPD-1), signed in 2017 by then-President Trump, provided leadership and a sense of urgency to return to the Moon and we should reflect on how far human exploration has progressed. The successes of our national space program since that time cannot be overstated. The success of the Artemis-I mission surpassed expectations for a first test flight mission. With the Artemis-II test flight, we will send astronauts beyond low-Earth orbit for the first time in 54 years. The hardware necessary for subsequent Artemis missions is already being built in preparation for returning Americans to the lunar surface in 2027. The nation’s leadership has also brought along international partners providing hardware for each Artemis mission, as well as bringing together like-minded nations through the Artemis Accords to ensure that any lunar activities should be peaceful and in accordance with international law.
The impact of the Artemis program is felt here on Earth as well. Last year, NASA’s Moon to Mars program engaged nearly 100,000 people across the country and generated $23.8 billion in economic output – a threefold return from our investment of $7.7 billion. SPD-1 remains an unchanged space policy bedrock that affirms “The United States will lead the return of humans to the Moon for long-term exploration and utilization, followed by human missions to Mars and other destinations.”
NASA’s goals have inspired generations, and its triumphs achieved in partnership with industry have accomplished feats that are remembered in the annals of history. The Artemis program has played a key role in advancing the capabilities of the national space engineering and technical industrial base. Aerospace companies have spent decades developing a robust national industry to address the challenges and difficulties of operating in the space environment, and they continue to do so while constantly pushing to become more efficient and capable. With our growing dependency on space and the promise of adversaries looking to surpass our advancements, continuing to move forward is critical.
NASA’s plan for how we will return to the Moon has not changed, and companies large and small across the country stand ready to continue their support to make this goal a reality.
About the Coalition for Deep Space Exploration
The Coalition for Deep Space Exploration is a national organization of more than 50 space industry businesses and other stakeholders committed to ensuring the United States remains a leader in space exploration, science, technology, and international cooperation. Based in Washington, D.C., the Coalition advocates in support of a long-term, sustainable direction for our nation’s space investments.
