Story perspectives

NASA Picks ULA's Centaur for Delayed Artemis Lunar Missions

3/8/2026

Summary

Story summary

NASA has chosen United Launch Alliance's Centaur 5 as the upper stage for its Space Launch System (SLS) for two crewed Artemis missions in 2028.
This selection delays the first crewed lunar landing from Artemis III to Artemis IV as part of a restructuring of the Artemis program.
NASA bypassed a competitive bidding process, stating ULA is the only contractor that can meet the timeline.
The agency's analysis showed that alternatives, such as Blue Origin's New Glenn, would require significant modifications and risk delays.
The Centaur's proven performance and compatibility with existing infrastructure influenced NASA's decision.

History

Historical Context

The Apollo 11 mission, launched on July 16, 1969, marked a historic achievement as Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first humans to walk on the Moon on July 20, fulfilling President John F. Kennedy's 1961 goal. This success solidified U.S. dominance in the Space Race against the Soviet Union and laid the groundwork for future lunar exploration, including NASA's Artemis program.

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Story summary

NASA has chosen United Launch Alliance's Centaur 5 as the upper stage for its Space Launch System (SLS) for two crewed Artemis missions in 2028.
This selection delays the first crewed lunar landing from Artemis III to Artemis IV as part of a restructuring of the Artemis program.
NASA bypassed a competitive bidding process, stating ULA is the only contractor that can meet the timeline.
The agency's analysis showed that alternatives, such as Blue Origin's New Glenn, would require significant modifications and risk delays.
The Centaur's proven performance and compatibility with existing infrastructure influenced NASA's decision.

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