NASA safety watchdog says it's time to rethink Moon landing
The Register
February 26, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
NASA’s latest report from its Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel (ASAP) raises significant concerns about the Artemis III mission, labeling it as high-risk due to its unprecedented nature. The mission aims to land astronauts near the lunar South Pole using SpaceX's Starship-derived Human Landing System (HLS), which has yet to achieve orbit or venture near the Moon. This ambitious undertaking involves numerous firsts, including relying on a new HLS and requiring multiple in-space refuelings—estimated at 15—which adds complexity and risk.
The ASAP report suggests that Artemis III’s current approach is overly ambitious, advocating for a stepwise method akin to the Apollo program. Historical context shows how earlier missions built success incrementally: Apollo 7 tested crewed flight, Apollo 8 orbited the Moon, Apollo 9 tested the Lunar Module in Earth orbit, and Apollo 1
Verticals
tech
Originally published on The Register on 2/26/2026