Artemis II is ending, how long before NASA gets back to the moon?
7 min•10 april 2026
It took more than 50 years for humans to return to the moon. Will it take another 50 years before NASA can get back?
Fifty-four years.
That is how long it has been since human last traveled beyond Earth’s orbit — since the crew of Apollo 17 left the moon behind in December 1972.
This week, NASA’s Artemis II mission changed that.
Why did it take so long? And given everything we know about the agency’s plans, budget battles and the growing shadow of China’s lunar ambitions — is the road ahead actually realistic?
For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Email us at [email protected].
This episode was produced by Linah Mohammad and Karen Zamora.
It was edited by Courtney Dorning.
Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.
See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.
NPR Privacy Policy
Fifty-four years.
That is how long it has been since human last traveled beyond Earth’s orbit — since the crew of Apollo 17 left the moon behind in December 1972.
This week, NASA’s Artemis II mission changed that.
Why did it take so long? And given everything we know about the agency’s plans, budget battles and the growing shadow of China’s lunar ambitions — is the road ahead actually realistic?
For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Email us at [email protected].
This episode was produced by Linah Mohammad and Karen Zamora.
It was edited by Courtney Dorning.
Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.
See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.
NPR Privacy Policy
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