The new US administration of President Joe Biden has confirmed that it is committed to continuing with the Artemis programme. Artemis is the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (Nasa's) new crewed space programme, intended to return men and take the first women to the Moon. Artemis was begun under the preceding administration of President Donald Trump.
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki gave that assurance in response to a reporter's question at a press conference on Thursday. However, she did not say if the Biden administration remained committed to achieving the first Artemis crewed landing on the Moon by 2024, which was the timeline under the Trump administration. Some in the US House of Representatives (both Democrats and Republicans) had previously suggested postponing it to 2028.
"Through the Artemis programme, the United States government will work with industry and international partners to send astronauts to the surface of the Moon -- another man and a woman to the Moon," said Psaki. "Certainly, we support this effort and endeavour."
So far, only 12 people have walked on the Moon, during the period from 1969 to 1972 . All were men.
"The Artemis programme, a waypoint to Mars, provides exactly the opportunity to add numbers to that," she pointed out. "Lunar exploration has broad and bicameral support in Congress."
In December, Nasa announced the names of 18 astronauts who had been selected for the Artemis programme. With Artemis I going to be an uncrewed mission, these astronauts will have the opportunity to fly in missions from Artemis II onward.
One of the Nasa Artemis astronauts tweeted a response to Psaki's words. "We'll be ready," assured Anne McClain.