What’s the point of sending humans to the Moon, when we could do the same lunar science but with rovers and robots? Why risk lives?

Following the successful test of Artemis I in 2022, NASA’s next mission in the Artemis program is Artemis II.

This second phase will have four astronauts on board, but they will not land on the moon.

It was initially reserved for Artemis III, scheduled for launch in 2028, but in early March 2026, NASA announced that Artemis III will not land on the Moonbut will remain in Earth orbit to practice docking maneuvers.

This change in plan means that Artemis IV is now the first Artemis program mission scheduled to put human feet on the lunar surface.

I’m sure the astronauts themselves must be excited, but is anyone else?

Why return to the Moon?

According to NASA, returning to the Moon is aimed at scientific discovery, economic benefit and inspiration, while maintaining “American leadership in exploration.”

On this last point, I wonder if the United States specifically pioneered lunar exploration.

The Soviets were the first to perform five of the eight main types of lunar missions (flyby, orbit, impact, soft landing, rover), while the United States was the first to bring samples back from the Moon, carry people into lunar orbit, and land a crew on the surface.

But I guess they were the first to plant flags there, and we all know that flags are what really matter.

Of course, missions to the Moon were different during the Space Race.

Back then, they were a competition in which American and Soviet leaders waved rockets, rather than crossing swords.

But today, in the 21st century, nothing like that happens. Ahem.

“Scientific discovery” at least appeals to me. After all, I love the Moon. Artemis promises lunar geology and geophysics like we have never seen before.

We’ll learn about water trapped in reservoirs in the permanently shadowed craters near the poles.

By exploring the volcanic and thermal history of the Moon, we could understand more about the history of the Solar System. There are also plans to do some radio astronomy from the far side of the Moon.

These are all great scientific goals, but realistically, they don’t need humans to achieve them.

Why Artemis doesn’t add up

This is where my big problem with Artemis is: its other major goal is to conduct experiments on human physiology, in preparation for future manned missions to Mars.

How do people survive long-term in low gravity conditions? What does it take to establish communities in deep space? Can we thrive in another world?

It seems that Artemis’ scientific goals, while interesting and exciting, are only there to justify Artemis’ existence.

The scientific objective that needs That people are there is simply a recognition.

And then we come to the “economic benefit.” Artemis has already fueled a lunar economy that will grow even more in the coming decades.

Everything necessary for manned missions and long-term lunar bases must be developed, tested and manufactured.

It will be done mainly by private companies, which means many benefits.

We might also remember that many technologies developed for human spaceflight in the Apollo era (miniaturized electronics, autonomous control, heat shields, etc.) found direct military applications.

At least we still have the “inspiration” part left. One of NASA’s signature goals for Artemis was to land the first woman and person of color on the Moon.

Less inspiring was the removal of all mention of these goals when DEI (Diversity, Equality and Inclusion) was eliminated across all US federal agencies.

However, there is still hope, as Artemis II crew They have already been selected and among the four are Christina Koch and Victor Glover.

Artemis will continue despite my misgivings.

I’ll still delight in science, visit museums to look at the Moon samples astronauts bring back, and probably cry a little when I get to see a live moon landing for the first time.

And that’s because – despite the language of cosmic imperialism present in all the propaganda about “interplanetary species” – any such exploration fills us with a renewed sense of wonder.

And maybe, if we’re lucky, hostile conditions on the Moon and Mars will rekindle our determination to save Earth: only planet on which we must live.

What do you think about the Artemis missions? Let us know by sending an email contactus@skyatnightmagazine.com