The US aerospace agency NASA is evaluating the budget and schedule of the lunar program “Artemis”, new data on the mission will be provided in 2021, said the official spokesman for the department Monica Witt. She recalled that establishing a permanent presence on the moon remains a priority for the agency.
So she commented on the conclusions of the office of the inspector general of NASA that the landing of astronauts on the moon in 2024 is not possible due to delays in the development of spacesuits.
“Sending the first woman and representative of color to the lunar surface and establishing a long-term presence on the moon through Artemis is a priority for NASA. The agency is evaluating the current budget and schedule for the Artemis missions and will provide updated data later this year, ”she told TASS.
On August 10, NASA's Inspector General's office released a report that delays in spacesuit development make it impossible to land on the moon in late 2024.
According to NASA's schedule, the first Artemis mission should take place in 2021, it will be an unmanned flight, the second mission – in 2023 with a crew, the Artemis III mission – a manned flight to the moon – is scheduled for 2024.
