Artemis program: NASA lander plans criticized as Canada names astronaut for 2024 moon flyby

Former NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine warned that the Artemis program’s crewed lunar lander architecture is overly complex and delayed. He compared the planned use of SpaceX’s Starship and Blue Origin’s Blue Moon to the simpler Apollo design, noting that neither lander has reached orbit and both require multiple refueling launches before they can carry astronauts. Bridenstine cautioned that the lack of a proven lander could hinder the goal of landing on the moon by 2028.

In parallel, the Canadian Space Agency announced that Royal Canadian Air Force Colonel Jeremy Hansen will fly aboard NASA’s Artemis II mission in 2024. Hansen, a veteran fighter pilot, will join the crew for a lunar fly‑by and orbit, marking Canada’s first astronaut to travel beyond low‑Earth orbit and a step toward future crewed landings and a potential lunar gateway.