In the works, currently, are phases deemed “Artemis II and III” – the first of which NASA, in December, pushed back until April of next year. This mission, to send astronauts to the moon and back, would be followed by a trip to the Moon’s south polar region – also pushed back to 2027, with phase 4 scheduled for 2028.

Starship, which has launched 11 times in South Texas, was NASA's vehicle of choice to land astronauts on the moon. Now the agency wants other options.