"With astronauts set to fly around the moon for the first time in more than half a century when Artemis 2 makes its long-awaited ascent sometime this spring, 2026 was already destined to become a standout year in space. It is also likely to be one of the most pivotal, with new leadership at Nasa in billionaire private astronaut Jared Isaacman, and the tycoon-led private space industry assuming more than a mere supporting role to help win for the US its race with China"
"Combined with Donald Trump's pre-holiday directive for American space superiority, which includes planting the stars and stripes on the moon before the end of his second term, it marks the beginning of potentially the most consequential period in human spaceflight in more than a generation. This past year was actually a sense of defining, at least a turning point, for the Artemis program, firmly placing it as a priority and framing it explicitly as a race against China,"
Artemis 2 will carry astronauts around the Moon for the first time in more than half a century, with a launch targeted for spring 2026. 2026 is positioned as a pivotal year for human spaceflight, driven by new NASA leadership under billionaire private astronaut Jared Isaacman and an expanded role for tycoon-led private industry. A White House directive seeks American space superiority, including planting a flag on the Moon within a second presidential term. The Artemis program is framed as a race against China, which aims to reach the Moon by 2030 with its Chang'e project, increasing emphasis on rapid execution.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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