NASA's lunar Gateway plan has been put on hold as the space agency refocuses its efforts to establish a human presence on the moon. This significant change in direction comes as NASA prepares for its first crewed mission, the Artemis moon program, which is set to launch on April 1. The decision to abandon the lunar Gateway project, a space station that was intended to orbit the moon, marks a major shift in NASA's plans for lunar exploration.
The Gateway was a collaborative effort that aimed to support exploration of the lunar surface and deep space missions. However, in May 2020, the project was selected for budget cuts under the Trump administration. Now, NASA is officially putting the Gateway on "pause" and plans to build a $20 billion moon base instead. The new moon base plan has three phases, starting with the use of contractors to send rovers and instruments to the moon through the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program.
The moon base plan also involves establishing "semi-habitable infrastructure," with astronauts on the ground and collaboration with other space agencies. The final phase will add "heavier infrastructure" to support long-term stays on the lunar surface. NASA aims to start this plan off with crewed moon landings every six months following the Artemis V mission, which is currently planned for 2028.
Another fascinating science story this week involves a comet that has reversed its spin. Comet 41P/Tuttle-Giacobini-Kresák has been observed to change its spin period from 46-60 hours to just 14 hours. Researchers believe that the heat from the sun caused the comet's ice to sublimate, sending gases spewing off its sides and changing its rotation.
The moon base plan is a significant development in NASA's lunar exploration efforts. While it marks a departure from the original Gateway plan, it presents opportunities for collaboration with other space agencies and private companies. In the African tech context, this development highlights the growing importance of space technology and its potential applications in various sectors.
