CNN —NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to return astronauts to the moon this decade amid a renewed international push for lunar exploration, is facing more delays. The issue relates to how the Orion capsule reenters Earth’s atmosphere upon returning from deep space, said NASA deputy administrator Pam Melroy. Prior to Trump taking office, NASA had targeted 2028 for the first moon landing. But in 2019, then-Vice President Mike Pence made the stunning declaration that the administration would direct NASA to drastically accelerate that timeline, aiming to conduct a crewed moon landing by 2024. Pence in part announced the decision to try to accelerate a US moon landing as part of a space race against China.

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Persons: Artemis, Bill Nelson, Pam Melroy, Melroy, Artemis I’s, Artemis II, Artemis I, Artemis III, Donald Trump’s, Mike Pence, Pence, Nelson, ” Nelson Organizations: CNN, pathfinder, Orion, NASA, Artemis Program, Trump, China, Officials, Capitol Locations: China