NASA's Artemis Program Aims to Revive the Spirit of Apollo

As the agency prepares for its first crewed moon mission in over 50 years, comparisons to the historic Apollo program are inevitable.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 12:04pm

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NASA is preparing to launch the Artemis II mission, which will send four astronauts on a journey around the moon - the first crewed lunar mission since the Apollo program ended in 1972. While Artemis builds on the legacy of Apollo, there are key differences, including a more diverse crew and a focus on long-term lunar exploration rather than just a flag-planting race to beat the Soviets. The Artemis program has progressed more slowly than Apollo, but NASA is determined to beat China in this new space race and establish a sustainable human presence on the moon.

Why it matters

The Artemis program represents NASA's most ambitious effort to return humans to the lunar surface since the Apollo era. Its success or failure will shape the future of space exploration and America's standing as a global leader in science and technology. Additionally, the program's focus on diversity and long-term lunar presence signals a shift in NASA's priorities and the broader goals of human spaceflight.

The details

The Artemis II mission will see four astronauts - including the first woman and person of color to travel to the moon - orbit the lunar surface in the Orion spacecraft before returning to Earth. This is a more cautious approach compared to the Apollo 8 mission, which sent astronauts into lunar orbit on their first crewed flight. Artemis II will also test the Orion's life-support systems, a key step before attempting a lunar landing on a future mission. Unlike the rapid eight-year timeline of Apollo, Artemis has progressed more slowly due to budget constraints and shifting priorities, though NASA is now accelerating the program. The new Artemis III mission will see astronauts practice docking with lunar landers in orbit before attempting a landing, a step not taken during Apollo.

  • NASA is targeting the first six days of April 2026 for the Artemis II launch.
  • The Artemis III mission, which will attempt the first crewed lunar landing since Apollo, is now scheduled for 2028.

The players

NASA

The U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the government agency responsible for the Artemis program and America's space exploration efforts.

Christina Koch

A NASA astronaut who is part of the Artemis II crew, the first crewed mission of the Artemis program.

Jeremy Hansen

A Canadian Space Agency astronaut who is also part of the Artemis II crew.

Jared Isaacman

The current NASA administrator who overhauled the Artemis program in February 2026 to emulate the rapid pace of the Apollo program.

Charlie Blackwell-Thompson

The Artemis launch director, making her the first woman to lead a NASA launch control team.

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What they’re saying

“The Apollo program still just absolutely blows me away.”

— Jeremy Hansen, Artemis II astronaut

“If we can contribute a little bit to hope for humanity, that is a huge thing.”

— Victor Glover, Artemis II pilot

What’s next

NASA is aiming to land astronauts near the lunar south pole by 2030, where shadowed craters are thought to hold vast amounts of ice that could provide drinking water and rocket fuel. The agency plans to invest $20 billion over the next seven years to establish a sustainable human presence on the moon, laying the groundwork for future missions to Mars.

The takeaway

The Artemis program represents NASA's most ambitious effort to return humans to the lunar surface since the Apollo era, with a focus on diversity, long-term exploration, and establishing a permanent human presence on the moon. While the program has progressed more slowly than Apollo, its success or failure will shape the future of space exploration and America's standing as a global leader in science and technology.