Squiz Today Squiz Shortcuts: NASA's return to the moon
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Apr 1, 2026 A fast look at why NASA is heading back to the moon now and how Artemis differs from Apollo. Short takes on the Orion spacecraft, mission plans for the lunar South Pole and long‑term moonbase ambitions. Conversation about safety concerns, past space disasters and recent heat shield questions. Notes on diversity goals for future moonwalkers and the politics and funding that shaped the 50‑year gap.
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Artemis Aims For A Sustainable Moon Program
- Artemis is designed not just to visit the moon but to enable sustained presence and prepare for Mars missions.
- NASA plans sequential missions: Artemis 1 uncrewed test, Artemis 2 crewed lunar loop to validate Orion, then Artemis 3 to land at the lunar South Pole for water-ice resources.
Lunar Water As Fuel For Mars Missions
- The program's objective includes mining lunar water at the South Pole to produce fuel and lower Mars mission costs.
- Artemis 3 targets the South Pole because frozen water could enable in-situ fuel production and act as a staging point to Mars.
Artemis 1 Proved Orion's Range Before Crew
- Artemis 1 was an uncrewed 25-day test that sent Orion 432,210 kilometres from Earth and logged over 2 million kilometres total.
- Artemis 2 will be crewed for about 10 days to validate life support and systems with four astronauts aboard including one Canadian.