If a Centaur V based upper stage can support a faster ramp up then I'm all for it, even if it nerfs SLS a bit. EUS was insanely expensive for what it was.
this post was submitted on 04 Mar 2026
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Highlights:
NASA added a new demonstration mission in low Earth orbit in mid-2027 to test one or both commercial landers from SpaceX and Blue Origin respectively
NASA continues to target the first Artemis lunar landing in early 2028, which has been the target landing date since mid-2025
NASA is assessing alternative options for the second stage of the rocket. The interim cryogenic propulsion stage used for the first three missions will be replaced with a new second stage, and the agency is no longer planning to use the Exploration Upper Stage or Mobile Launcher 2, as development of both has faced delays.
Conspicuously absent: Lunar Gateway :)
Gateway as a Lunar tollbooth is completely unnecessary as part of the Artemis architecture, but I'm still a hopeless sci-fi nerd and want to see it happen in parallel. PPE+HALO will fly on a Falcon Heavy, then maybe IHAB and other modules could fly with a commercial tug.
Money, time, resources, blah blah blah, I want more space stations.