NASA introduced its newest class of astronaut candidates this week, a group of ten individuals selected to train for future missions to the Moon and Mars. The announcement comes as a safety panel warns that SpaceX's Starship, the vehicle intended to land astronauts on the lunar surface, could face significant delays, potentially pushing back the Artemis III mission timeline.
In other major developments, Blue Origin secured a $190 million contract to deliver a NASA rover to the Moon, while SpaceX continued its rapid launch pace with missions for the National Reconnaissance Office and its own Starlink network.
Key Takeaways
- NASA has selected 10 new astronaut candidates to begin a two-year training program for future space missions.
- A safety advisory panel has expressed concerns that the SpaceX Starship lander for Artemis III may be "years late."
- Blue Origin won a $190 million NASA contract to deliver the VIPER water-ice hunting rover to the Moon in 2027.
- SpaceX successfully launched a classified spy satellite for the NRO and another batch of Starlink satellites.
NASA's Artemis Program: Progress and Hurdles
NASA is moving forward with its ambitious plans to return humans to the Moon, but the program faces a mix of positive momentum and significant technical challenges. The agency's recent activities highlight both the human element of space exploration and the complex engineering required to achieve its goals.
A New Generation of Explorers
On September 22, NASA officially introduced its 24th class of astronaut candidates at the Johnson Space Center. The group consists of five men and five women, selected from a pool of more than 8,000 applicants. This is the first new class to be named since 2021.
The candidates, who include pilots, scientists, engineers, and medical doctors, will start an intensive two-year training program in January. Their training will cover a wide range of skills necessary for missions aboard the International Space Station and for future Artemis missions to the Moon.
"This selection was… very difficult, but… we have a group of individuals who are not only exceptional but… inspirational for the United States of America, and for our planet," stated Norm Knight, NASA’s Director of Flight Operations.
These new astronauts are expected to graduate as NASA prepares for crewed lunar missions in the late 2020s, with some potentially being assigned to the first human missions to Mars in the 2030s.
Concerns Over Artemis III Timeline
While NASA celebrates its new recruits, a report from the agency's Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel (ASAP) has raised serious questions about the schedule for Artemis III, the mission slated to be the first human lunar landing since Apollo.
Following a visit to SpaceX's Starbase facility, the panel warned on September 22 that the development of the Starship Human Landing System (HLS) is facing major obstacles. Panel member Paul Hill stated, "The HLS schedule is significantly challenged and in our estimation could be years late for a 2027 Artemis III Moon landing."
The Challenge of Orbital Refueling
A key technology required for the Starship lunar lander is on-orbit refueling. SpaceX must demonstrate the ability to transfer massive amounts of cryogenic propellant between Starship vehicles in space, a capability that has never been accomplished on this scale. The safety panel noted this as a primary factor in potential delays.
The panel highlighted the "aggressive" timelines for critical milestones, including multiple uncrewed test flights and the complex refueling process. Any significant delay in the Starship HLS or the development of new lunar spacesuits could push the Artemis III landing into 2028 or later.
Commercial Sector Supports Lunar Exploration
Private companies are playing an increasingly crucial role in NASA's lunar ambitions. A recent contract award highlights this trend, reviving a key scientific mission aimed at mapping lunar resources.
Blue Origin to Deliver VIPER Rover
On September 22, NASA awarded Blue Origin a contract valued at approximately $190 million to transport the Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER) to the Moon's south pole. The mission, scheduled for late 2027, will use Blue Origin's Blue Moon MK-1 lander.
The VIPER mission was previously stalled after its original delivery provider faced delays. This new contract, awarded under NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program, puts the mission back on track.
Searching for Lunar Water
The VIPER rover is about the size of a golf cart and is equipped with drills and spectrometers. Its primary objective is to search for water ice in the permanently shadowed craters of the lunar south pole. This water is considered a vital resource for establishing a sustainable human presence on the Moon, as it could be used for life support and converted into rocket fuel.
This contract marks a significant achievement for Blue Origin, providing its lander with its first major science payload. The data collected by VIPER is expected to directly inform future Artemis missions by identifying potential resource locations for astronauts.
High-Paced Launch Activity Continues
Launch providers around the world maintained a busy schedule, deploying satellites for national security, global internet, and scientific research.
SpaceX Launches Spy Satellites and Starlinks
SpaceX conducted two launches in quick succession. On September 22, a Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, carrying a classified payload for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). The NROL-48 mission is the 11th launch for the NRO's "proliferated architecture," a strategy that relies on a large number of smaller satellites rather than a few large ones to enhance resilience and coverage.
Just a day later, another Falcon 9 launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, deploying 28 Starlink internet satellites. This was SpaceX's 119th mission of 2025 and brought the total number of active Starlink satellites to over 5,000.
Upcoming Space Weather Mission
NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are preparing for a critical science launch on September 24. A SpaceX Falcon 9 is scheduled to carry a trio of spacecraft designed to monitor space weather.
- IMAP (Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe): This NASA probe will travel 1.5 million kilometers to the L1 Lagrange point to study the boundary of our solar system.
- SWFO-L1: This NOAA satellite will also operate at L1, serving as an early-warning system for solar storms that could disrupt power grids and communications on Earth.
- Carruthers Geocorona Observatory (CGO): A smaller satellite that will image Earth's extended outer atmosphere, known as the geocorona.
This multi-payload mission aims to replace aging space weather satellites and improve forecasting capabilities for solar events.
