After Apollo 17 in 1972, humans never returned to the Moon, not because we lacked technology, but because priorities shifted and budgets shrank. NASA’s share of the federal budget collapsed from around 5% in the Apollo era to just 0.4% today, making future lunar missions economically and politically untenable.

Once the U.S. had achieved its “flag on the Moon,” the political urgency dissipated. Apollo missions were viewed as symbolic triumphs in the Cold War, and their continuation was seen as unnecessary. Consequently, future landings, even though planned for missions like Apollo 18 through 20, were canceled amid budget cuts.

Private robotic missions have continued, and interest never fully waned, but the obstacles weren’t technical; they were political. As Business Insider observes: “Political risks, fluctuating budgets, and changing priorities between different administrations” made it hard to prioritize a lunar return.

For decades, returning to the Moon was seen as unnecessary, until recently. What’s changed is both technology and motivation. Advances in reusable rockets from private companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin have slashed launch costs, making lunar missions more financially realistic. At the same time, competition is heating up again, this time with China aiming to establish a lunar base in the 2030s.

NASA’s Artemis program, backed by international partners such as the European Space Agency and Japan, represents a long-term vision. Unlike Apollo, which was about beating the Soviets, Artemis is about creating a sustainable presence: building lunar infrastructure, testing technologies for Mars, and securing access to valuable resources like water ice in the Moon’s south pole.

Water ice, in particular, is a game-changer. It can be converted into drinking water, breathable oxygen, and even rocket fuel. In short, the Moon could become a refueling station for deep space exploration.

This time, going to the Moon isn’t about a single spacecraft, it’s about an entire ecosystem of technology working together. At the center of NASA’s Artemis program is the Space Launch System (SLS), the most powerful rocket ever built, capable of sending astronauts and heavy cargo beyond Earth’s orbit. Once in space, the Orion spacecraft will carry astronauts on their journey to lunar orbit.

From there, a new space station called the Gateway will act as a hub. Astronauts will dock at Gateway before transferring to SpaceX’s Starship Human Landing System (HLS), which will ferry them down to the Moon’s surface. This public-private partnership is critical, NASA provides the vision and oversight, while companies like SpaceX, Blue Origin, and others build the actual hardware.

Unlike Apollo, Artemis emphasizes sustainability. The goal is not just to plant a flag but to build a reusable framework where crews can live, work, and return regularly. Robotics, AI, and autonomous systems will also play a huge role in building infrastructure before humans even arrive.

The Artemis program is already underway. In late 2022, Artemis I completed a 25-day uncrewed mission around the Moon, successfully testing both the SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft. This was the critical first step toward putting astronauts back on the lunar surface.

The next milestone, Artemis II, is currently planned for April 2025. This mission will send astronauts around the Moon without landing, serving as a dress rehearsal for the first crewed lunar return. Following that, Artemis III, targeted for mid 2027, is set to land astronauts on the Moon’s south pole for the first time in history.

This timeline, however, is subject to delays. Funding, safety reviews, and the complexity of developing brand-new spacecraft all play a role. Still, momentum is strong, and international partners like ESA (Europe) and JAXA (Japan) are actively contributing technology and astronauts to keep the program moving forward.

The Moon is no longer just a memory from the Apollo era, it’s our next frontier. After 50 years of waiting, the Artemis program is reigniting lunar exploration with new technology, global partnerships, and a vision that goes beyond flags and footprints. The missions ahead will not only take us back to the surface but set the stage for something even greater: using the Moon as a stepping stone to Mars and deeper into the cosmos.

AI keeps coming up at work, but you still don't get it?

That's exactly why 1M+ professionals working at Google, Meta, and OpenAI read Superhuman AI daily.

Here's what you get:

Join 1M+ pros

If you’re intrigued and don’t want to miss the full post this Sunday, don’t forget to subscribe if you still haven’t.

What you’ll get by subscribing:

In the meantime, sit back, relax, and start reading all our previous articles tailored just for you.