Can Artemis Secure the Future of U.S. Lunar Ambitions?

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The U.S. approach to returning to the Moon is moving beyond a race for “firsts”—it’s now about staying there, shaping the rules, and building alliances. On This Week in Space, Dr. Scott Pace, director of George Washington University's Space Policy Institute, shared why the focus is shifting from just planting flags to creating an enduring lunar presence built on political, technological, and commercial foundations.

What Drives U.S. Lunar Policy Today?

According to Dr. Pace on This Week in Space, America’s space efforts aren’t just about policy—they’re about implementing sustainable, long-term plans in an era where geopolitical realities and commercial partnerships drive success. Policies set in recent administrations—including Artemis, the Artemis Accords, and the standing up of the Space Force—reflected bipartisan cooperation and engagement not just within government but also with Congress and the international community.

The policy groundwork is largely set; the new challenge is effective execution—making technical ambitions a reality and maintaining American leadership as the lunar domain heats up.

Why Sustainable Lunar Presence Beats Being “First”

Dr. Pace emphasized that while landing on the Moon first was vital during the Apollo era, priorities have evolved. Today, the real value lies in who shapes and sustains the infrastructure, norms, and practices on the Moon. Simply beating China or another country to the lunar surface is less important than ensuring U.S. values (democracy, private enterprise, rule of law) are embedded in lunar operations over the long run.

Drawing parallels to American leadership in Antarctica, Dr. Pace explained that infrastructure, continuous presence, and operational influence define who shapes policy and usage of new frontiers. The Artemis program, with its focus on international participation and commercial roles, is designed to ensure the U.S. and its partners are “making the rules” by showing up and staying.

How Commercial Partnerships are Changing Space Exploration

One of the most critical changes in recent decades is the rise of commercial players in U.S. space strategy. Dr. Pace described how public-private partnerships have enabled new launch capacities, diversified suppliers, and created a more resilient industry. However, he warned against expecting fixed-price contracts and “as-a-service” models to instantly work—NASA’s support and co-investment were critical in making commercial crew and cargo programs successful.

According to Dr. Pace, government investment and careful milestone management remain essential, especially in early-stage markets or when private demand alone can’t sustain operations. Each project needs custom solutions, not a one-size-fits-all commercial model.

The SLS, Artemis, and the Need for Flexibility

Addressing recent changes around the Space Launch System (SLS) and the Artemis program, Dr. Pace expressed support for providing “off-ramps” from legacy technologies as commercial heavy-lift solutions from companies like SpaceX become reliable. He credits NASA for accelerating launch cadence, revising mission planning, and adopting more transparent analysis and cost-tracking systems—all key for long-term program credibility.

He stressed the necessity of adapting architectures, investing in test flights, and building resiliency into lunar transportation plans, as many technical and operational issues remain unsolved—such as reliable cryogenic fuel transfer and nuclear in-space propulsion.

Commercial Space Stations and Culture Change at NASA

When it comes to commercial low Earth orbit (LEO) stations, Dr. Pace highlighted the tension between NASA’s traditional approach and the emerging commercial sector. Some parts of NASA remain skeptical or risk-averse, but he urged the agency to focus on solving tough technical problems, set clear priorities, and support industry to enable a successful handover from the International Space Station era to a thriving LEO economy.

AI, Robotics, and the Human Factor

Dr. Pace believes AI and robotics will make human spaceflight more achievable and sustainable, but won’t replace the drive for exploration and hands-on discovery. Just as watching a documentary on the sea isn’t the same as scuba diving, personal human experience in space remains irreplaceable for inspiration, innovation, and truly understanding this new frontier.

Key Takeaways

• U.S. space strategy is evolving from racing to be first to building a sustainable, value-driven presence on the Moon.
• Bipartisan continuity, international alliances, and commercial partnerships are central to Artemis’ resilience.
• Infrastructure and operational influence—not just landing first—will define future leadership on the Moon.
• Commercial involvement is key but requires careful government support and adaptive contracting.
• NASA is transitioning away from legacy systems like SLS as private vehicles prove themselves.
• The shift to commercial space stations will require culture change and new priorities at NASA.
• AI and robotics enhance, but don’t replace, the need for humans in space.

The Bottom Line

According to Dr. Scott Pace on This Week in Space, the future of the U.S. lunar program relies on effective execution, building international and commercial partnerships, and focusing on sustainable infrastructure. Landing first isn't enough. America's leadership will come from continuous presence, shaping rules, and empowering a new generation of explorers and innovators.

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