NASA's next opportunity for the launch would be at the beginning or end of April. The US space agency hopes to put humans back on the moon as China forges ahead with a rival effort that is targeting 2030 at the latest for its first crewed mission. China's uncrewed Chang'e 7 mission is expected to be launched in 2026 for an exploration of the moon's south pole, and testing of its crewed spacecraft Mengzhou is also set to go ahead this year.