NASA Expands SpaceX Starship Role in Artemis Program, Reduces Boeing; First Lunar Landing Slips to 2028

NASA restructured its Artemis moon program to expand SpaceX's Starship role while reducing Boeing's involvement, moving the first crewed lunar landing from Artemis III to Artemis IV (early 2028 at earliest). Under the revised plan, Artemis III will remain in Earth orbit for rendezvous and docking tests with SpaceX's Starship HLS and Blue Origin's Blue Moon lander. The SLS rocket completed its rollout to the launch pad on March 20 for the Artemis II crewed lunar flyby, now targeting no earlier than April 1.