Congress Probes NASA's Artemis Plan Amid Fears of Chinese Space Supremacy

NASA's Artemis Program Under Fire as Lawmakers Question its Viability A subcommittee of the House Committee on Space, Science, and Technology has begun reviewing NASA's policy, expressing concerns about Chinese competition in civil spaceflight. The review comes as lawmakers have realized that China may land humans on the Moon before the United States can return there with the Artemis Program. This development has significant implications for NASA's budget and its ability to maintain global leadership in space. According to sources, the 10 billion infusion into NASA's budget this summer essentially provided zero funding for efforts needed to land humans on the Moon this decade. This lack of funding has raised concerns among lawmakers and experts, who believe that the current plan for Artemis "cannot work." Former NASA Administrator Mike Griffin, a long-time critic of the agency's approach, was particularly vocal in his criticism during a hearing on Thursday in Washington, DC. The Artemis Program, which aims to return humans to the Moon by 2025, has been plagued by delays and cost overruns. The program's current budget is estimated to be around 2.5 billion, a significant increase from the initial estimate of 1.5 billion. However, experts believe that this amount may not be sufficient to achieve the program's goals. The review of NASA's policy by the subcommittee is a significant development, as it highlights the growing concern among lawmakers about China's advancements in space technology. China has made significant strides in recent years, including landing a rover on the far side of the Moon and launching a space station. The US, on the other hand, has struggled to maintain its leadership in space, with the Artemis Program facing significant challenges. The implications of this development are far-reaching, with potential consequences for NASA's budget and its ability to maintain global leadership in space. The review of NASA's policy by the subcommittee is a critical step in addressing these concerns and ensuring that the agency is equipped to compete with China in the rapidly evolving space industry. In the coming weeks and months, lawmakers and experts will continue to scrutinize NASA's policy and the Artemis Program. The outcome of this review will have significant implications for the agency's future and its ability to maintain its leadership in space. As the US continues to grapple with the challenges of space exploration, one thing is clear: the stakes are high, and the competition is fierce.