CONGRESS TELLS NASA THAT THE US MUST BEAT CHINA BACK TO THE MOON.

NASA's Artemis program, which aims to return astronauts to the Moon, is facing delays that have raised concerns among US politicians. The new launch dates for Artemis II and Artemis III have been pushed back by about a year due to the need for additional studies on key hardware. The US House of Representatives' Committee on Science, Space and Technology held a hearing on the matter, with members emphasizing the importance of beating China in the race to the Moon. Witnesses at the hearing discussed the challenges and costs associated with the Artemis program, while NASA expressed confidence in overcoming these obstacles and landing on the Moon before China. The main objectives of the Artemis program include establishing a long-term presence on the Moon, promoting equality by sending a female astronaut, fostering partnerships with private companies, advancing technology, expanding knowledge about the lunar surface and deep space, and accessing lunar resources. [Extracted from the article]