February 27, 2026
Houston, we have hot takes
NASA announces major overhaul of Artemis program amid safety concerns, delays
NASA hits reset on moon plan: extra test flight, delays, and a comment war over safety vs speed
TLDR: NASA is reworking Artemis with a 2027 near‑Earth test flight before aiming for two moon landings in 2028. Comments split between relief at a safer plan and anxiety over delays and “Boeing vibes,” with Apollo nostalgia and critical links fueling a lively safety‑versus‑speed debate.
NASA’s new boss Jared Isaacman slammed the brakes and yelled “back to basics”, adding a 2027 dress‑rehearsal in Earth orbit to test commercial moon landers from SpaceX and Blue Origin before any boots touch lunar dust. Artemis II is already delayed by fuel leaks; a safety panel called the plan too risky. So Artemis III becomes an Apollo‑9 style practice run — docking near home, trying the new spacesuits — with hopes of two real landings in 2028.
The comment section? A full‑blown rocket rumble. One side cheers the reset: “I’m glad this is getting overhauled… the plan was a mess,” says michael_pica, dubbing slow and safe the new vibe. The other side is sweating: Rooster61’s worry went viral, dropping the meme‑ified line, “Boeing, well, does Boeing things,” and pleading for the astronauts’ safety. Nostalgia pours in as kwertyoowiyop salutes the Apollo legends, while TheChaplain turns the thread into a travel guide to Kennedy Space Center. Meanwhile, critics swing in with “The Lunacy of Artemis”, stoking debates over politics, contractors, and whether SLS — NASA’s big rocket — is a fixer‑upper or a money pit. Hot take bingo: SpaceX vs Blue Origin rivalry jokes, “measure thrice, launch once” punchlines, and a new tagline for 2026 — Back to Basics™, but make it moon.
Key Points
- •NASA will add a 2027 Earth-orbit mission to test commercial lunar landers before attempting moon landings.
- •Artemis III is redefined to launch in 2027 for rendezvous and docking in Earth orbit, not a lunar landing.
- •NASA aims to conduct at least one, possibly two, lunar landing missions in 2028 (Artemis IV and V).
- •The overhaul responds to safety concerns raised by NASA’s Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel.
- •Artemis II’s launch is delayed due to hydrogen and helium issues; it is on hold until at least April 1.