NASA's Artemis II: Paving the Path from the Moon to Mars

Mon Mar 30 2026 13:34:29 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

As NASA prepares to launch the Artemis II mission to the Moon, experts discuss the significance of lunar exploration and its implications for future manned missions to Mars.

NASA is gearing up for the Artemis II mission, sending astronauts to the Moon to establish a base that will serve as a stepping stone for future exploration of Mars. This costly endeavor, with its high stakes in terms of technology and international competition, is not just about lunar landings; it’s about securing resources and preparing for humanity's next giant leap into space.

In just a few days, NASA is planning to launch the Artemis II mission, sending four astronauts on their way to the Moon. Their voyage around our nearest neighbor will pave the way for a lunar landing and, eventually, a Moon base.

NASA's Artemis program has taken years of work, involved thousands of people, and is estimated to have cost $93 billion to date. Yet, for some, there's a distinct sense of 'been there, done that'. More than 50 years ago, America's Apollo missions made history when the first people set foot on the lunar surface. With six landings in total, it felt like the Moon had been well and truly ticked off the space to-do list. So, why is the US spending so much time, effort, and money racing to return?

Valuable resources

The Moon may look barren, but it holds valuable resources. According to Prof. Sara Russell, a planetary scientist at the Natural History Museum, the Moon contains elements similar to those found on Earth, including rare earth elements and metals like iron and titanium, alongside significant amounts of water in permanently shadowed craters. Access to water is crucial for sustaining life, providing both drinking water and potential fuel for spacecraft.

Race for space dominance

The new era of lunar exploration is marked by competition, particularly with China, which aims to send humans to the Moon by 2030. Both nations are eager to secure the best lunar real estate for resource mining.

Paving the way to Mars

NASA has its sights set on Mars, aiming for manned missions in the 2030s. Establishing a presence on the Moon will facilitate research and technology development essential for longer missions to Mars. Libby Jackson, head of space at the Science Museum, notes that testing life-support technologies on the Moon is safer than trying them out on Mars where any failure could be catastrophic.

Mysteries yet to be unlocked

The return of humans to the Moon also promises to uncover new scientific insights. The Moon's geologic history provides a time capsule of Earth's early history and could enhance our understanding of planetary formation.

Inspiring a new generation

The Artemis missions aim not only to advance scientific knowledge but also to inspire a new generation of scientists and engineers. There’s hope that the excitement surrounding these missions will translate into new careers in science, technology, and engineering, ensuring continued progress in space exploration.

Says Helen Sharman, the first British astronaut, If we really come together, we can produce so much that's beneficial to humankind. It shows us what humans are capable of.