Posted on 08/21/2021 3:26:35 PM PDT by BenLurkin
NASA won't be ready to send astronauts to the moon by 2024 as planned because, among other reasons, their spacesuits won't be ready, the agency's internal watchdog found.
NASA had officially planned to send astronauts back to the moon by 2024, but independent experts and its own acting administrator had already doubted that timeline was realistic.
In a report this month, NASA's inspector general found that because of delays in spacesuit development, "a lunar landing in late 2024 as NASA currently plans is not feasible." The report blames a lack of funding, the COVID-19 pandemic and "technical challenges" for the delay. The inspector general estimated that the earliest the spacesuits would be ready is April 2025.
The last time humans landed on the moon was in 1972. And the spacesuits NASA astronauts are still using are based on technology from the same era.
NASA has been developing new spacesuits for the last 14 years, which have so far cost $420 million. The agency is expected to spend another $625 million by the time just two flight-ready suits are ready in the 2025 fiscal year.
The spacesuits aren't the only reason that NASA won't get to the moon by 2024. The inspector general noted that delays involving the new Space Launch System rocket, the Orion capsule and the lunar lander all preclude reaching the moon on schedule.
In April, NASA chose SpaceX to build its lunar lander for $2.9 billion. But a competing company, Blue Origin, has repeatedly objected, which the inspector general noted has caused delays.
And on Thursday, after the inspector general report's release, work on the lunar lander was delayed again: suspended for 2 1/2 months in response to a lawsuit filed by Blue Origin.
The new moon landing is part of the Artemis program, which specifically aims to include a woman and a person of color among the people who will walk upon the moon's surface, whenever that may be. Later Artemis missions will attempt to establish a "base camp" for long-term exploration over one or two months. NASA says this would help inform future missions to Mars.
The moon landing had previously been set for 2028, but in 2019, the Trump administration pushed it forward by four years. NASA has yet to set an official new target date for the moon landing.
"Sending the first woman and first person of color to the lunar surface and establishing a long-term presence at the Moon under Artemis is a priority for NASA," a spokesperson told NPR in a statement. "The agency is evaluating the current budget and schedule for Artemis missions and will provide an update later this year."
What’s the point? We’ve been there, done that. Let the billionaires boys club fund this with their own money and technology.
How does this help Muslims feel good about themselves???
They can’t get to the moon either!? (best guess)
Elon Musk could probably have those suits ready to go in six months ...
“Return” to the moon? LOL
“What’s wrong with just making some more of the same space suits we’ve already used successfully many times?”
Because the people who made them are retired and the kids these days couldn’t make a hand puppet out of a sock.
Because the old suits weren’t gay looking enough.
Because the old suits aren’t profitable ($>billion).
etc.
NASA, another government career cesspool!
Lifers, more interested in staying with their unique project, never letting go till they retire.
The dog ate their homework _again_.
What a clusterf&^%.
It may be cheaper to attach a long tow chain to the moon and pull it down to the earth.
Welcome to the Moon.
Property of SpaceX.
Don’t step on the grass.
I’m sure the spacesuits that were used in other moon landings are on display. Use them...unless they really don’t work
Space suit equity NOW
Abrasion
The contractors got paid—that is Mission Accomplished for NASA.
Perhaps the problem is that our companies surrendered their manufacturing capabilities to China. We no longer have the proper tools and equipment.
Newer designs would be called for simply because we have new materials and manufacturing processes as well as a better knowledge base for making lunar space suits.
Our Nation was just downright stupid to dismantle its manufacturing base.
Back then we had an entire Nation full of manufacturing equipment and capable workers. We threw that all away in favor of cheap Chinese goods.
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