One Week to Artemis II Launch as NASA Reconsiders Its Lunar Strategy and Cancels Gateway

The launch of the first crewed mission of the Artemis program may finally be approaching. In recent days, the SLS rocket has been rolled back to the launch pad following a series of technical interventions to address issues that previously forced NASA to scrub the March 6 launch attempt. The current launch date is set for April 1st, within a launch window that will close on April 6.

NASA’s SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft, secured to the mobile launcher, are seen as they arrive at the Launch Pad 39B. Credits: NASA — *NASA’s SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft, secured to the mobile launcher, are seen as they arrive at Launch Pad 39B. Credits: NASA*

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, a historic press conference marked a major turning point for the Artemis program. NASA officials unveiled a revised strategy to accelerate efforts to establish a sustained human presence on the lunar surface.

With this announcement, it is now official: the Lunar Gateway orbital station is dead. The decision leaves international partners—particularly Europe—with a new harsh reality: the prospect of quickly revolutionizing their role in the program.

The future of Artemis is on the Moon’s surface

On March 24, during the Ignition event, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman and other agency officials made headlines by announcing a major redesign of NASA’s plans for lunar exploration. The new, ambitious roadmap is structured around three main phases.

The first phase, running through 2028, will focus on robotic operations, with an expansion of the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program to a total of 21 landings. This phase also includes the deployment of four “Moonfall” drones capable of performing 50-kilometer hops, significantly accelerating the exploration of new areas.

The second phase (2029–2032) aims to identify and prepare a suitable site for sustained human operations. Through 27 launches, NASA plans to deliver key infrastructure assets to the lunar surface, including pressurized rovers, communication antennas, solar and nuclear power systems, and construction machinery.

The third phase, beginning in 2032, would mark the start of lunar base construction, with the deployment of habitation modules, scientific laboratories, and in-situ production capabilities, as well as systems for returning scientific samples and materials to Earth.

*Artist’s concept of Phase 3 of NASA’s Moon Base. Credits: NASA*

During the conference, Carlos Garcia-Galan, the program executive for the agency’s lunar base effort, was introduced. Garcia-Galan, who previously worked on the Lunar Gateway project, confirmed that the orbital station program will be “at least temporarily” put on hold to prioritize surface operations.

“NASA is committed to achieving the near‑impossible once again, to return to the Moon before the end of President Trump’s term, build a Moon base, establish an enduring presence, and do the other things needed to ensure American leadership in space.”

— Jared Isacmaan, NASA Administrator

The (missing) European reaction

Despite NASA publicly reaffirming its commitment to include international partners in the new Artemis framework, the cancellation of the Gateway represents a significant blow to Europe’s role in the program.

In particular, Thales Alenia Space completed in 2025 the primary structure of NASA’s HALO module for Northrop Grumman, and had also been contracted by the European Space Agency to develop both the ESPRIT communications and refueling module and the I-HAB (International Habitation) module.

*An illustration of the lunar Gateway. Credits: NASA*

Yesterday, a closed-door meeting took place with representatives from industry and major foreign space agencies. No official statements have yet been released by ESA regarding the meeting or, more broadly, Europe’s position on the evolution of the program.

However, on Tuesday, Teodoro Valente, president of the Italian Space Agency, expressed immediate support for NASA’s new direction. It is worth noting that ASI has already initiated development of the MPH (Multi-Purpose Habitation) module under bilateral agreements with NASA. Commissioned to Thales Alenia Space, the module is expected to become the first habitation unit on the lunar surface.

It is therefore possible that Italy will seek to strengthen this collaboration by developing surface modules to fill the significant gap left by the cancellation of the Gateway hardware produced in Turin.

Today at NASA HQ: Ignition brings Artemis partners together.

ASI is proud to contribute to the future of lunar exploration alongside NASA.
Back to the Moon, together. And beyond.#Artemis #NASA #Moon #Italy @Valente_Teodoro @NASA pic.twitter.com/4jDmvWqAe7
— Agenzia Spaziale ITA (@ASI_spazio) March 24, 2026