US NASA Announces $32 Trillion Project to Send Astronauts to the Moon by 2024

"Landing a Male and Female Astronaut Pair on the Moon by 2024"
Set Deadline 2024... Must Achieve Within Trump's Reelection Term
MOU Signed with US Space Force... "Will Support Artemis"

[Image source=NASA]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] NASA has released a comprehensive plan report for the 'Artemis Project,' which aims to land a pair of male and female astronauts on the Moon by 2024. This project, expected to cost about $28 billion (approximately 32.48 trillion KRW), is anticipated to be rushed as its timeline was advanced by four years from the original plan at the request of the Donald Trump administration. The U.S. Space Force has also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with NASA for comprehensive cooperation to assist the Artemis Project.

According to foreign media including AFP on the 22nd (local time), NASA unveiled the comprehensive report on the Artemis Project. Jim Bridenstine, NASA Administrator, stated, "A budget of $28 billion (32.48 trillion KRW) will be required over the next four years to realize the Artemis Project," adding, "Most of the budget will be used for the development of the next-generation heavy-lift rocket, the Space Launch System (SLS), the manned spacecraft 'Orion,' and the lunar lander."

According to the comprehensive report released by NASA, the Artemis Project will proceed in three stages: an unmanned lunar orbit flight in November next year, a successful manned lunar orbit flight in 2023, and the launch of a lunar landing spacecraft in 2024. NASA also revealed plans to send astronauts to the Moon's south pole region, where water in the form of ice is believed to exist. If the U.S. Congress passes a $3.2 billion budget related to lunar lander development by the end of this year, the Artemis Project will be set on its main course.

Originally, the Artemis Project deadline was set for 2028, but it was moved up by four years at the request of the Trump administration. According to space-specialized media such as Space.com, the reason for advancing the deadline to 2024 was due to pressure that if President Trump were re-elected, the lunar landing must succeed within his second term.

On the same day, the U.S. Space Force signed an MOU with NASA to assist the Artemis Project. At the Space Power Forum held at the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies of the U.S. Air Force Association, the Space Force pledged cooperation with NASA in comprehensive areas including space policy, atmospheric defense, and space transportation. The Space Force stated it would actively support the Artemis Program.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.