Timeline
March 24, 2026 — March 31, 2026
World
Timeline: How NASA Pivoted from Lunar Gateway to Moon Base and Prepared for Artemis II Launch
In late March 2026, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman announced a dramatic shift in the agency's lunar strategy, canceling the Gateway orbital station in favor of a $20 billion moon base. This policy overhaul came just days before the historic Artemis II mission, which would send astronauts around the moon for the first time in over 50 years. The timeline captures both the strategic pivot and the countdown to launch.
10 events · 6 days · 12 source articles
Sun, Feb 1, 2026
Moderate
Artemis II mission delayed due to hydrogen fuel leaks
NASA's Artemis II mission, originally scheduled for February 2026, was grounded due to hydrogen fuel leaks. The mission experienced a series of setbacks requiring repairs before it could proceed. This delay set the stage for a rescheduled launch in late March or early April.
Fri, Mar 20, 2026
Moderate
Space Launch System rocket repositioned to Kennedy Space Center launchpad
After completing repairs from the earlier delays, NASA repositioned its Space Launch System rocket on the launchpad at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The 32-story rocket was prepared for the upcoming Artemis II mission, with managers reporting the rocket was doing well following the latest round of repairs.
Tue, Mar 24, 2026
Major
NASA announces cancellation of lunar Gateway station, pivots to $20 billion moon base
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman announced at the agency's 'Ignition' event in Washington that NASA would cancel plans for the Gateway orbital lunar station and instead focus on constructing a base on the moon's surface over the next seven years. The $20 billion project represents a major strategic shift amid competition with Russia and China in a renewed moon race. Isaacman also outlined plans for a nuclear-powered spacecraft to Mars.
Tue, Mar 24, 2026
Moderate
NASA details three-phase moon base construction plan
NASA released details showing the lunar base would be established through three phases, each costing approximately $10 billion, using a scaled-up Commercial Lunar Payload Services program. The first phase, running through 2028, would comprise 21 landings delivering 4 metric tons of payload, including the VIPER rover, four 'Moon Fall' drones capable of traveling 50 km, and lunar terrain vehicles.
Tue, Mar 24, 2026
Moderate
Gateway equipment to be repurposed for moon base infrastructure
NASA announced it would pause the Gateway project 'in its current form' and repurpose equipment originally intended for the lunar orbital station for the new surface base. The agency explained the shift would focus on 'infrastructure that enables sustained surface operations' and includes plans for nuclear power on the lunar surface.
Fri, Mar 27, 2026
Moderate
Artemis II crew arrives at Kennedy Space Center
The four-person Artemis II crew arrived at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, in final preparations for their historic mission. The crew includes NASA astronauts Commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, mission specialist Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen, making this the first lunar mission to include a woman, a person of color, and a non-American.
Sat, Mar 28, 2026
Moderate
Launch window for Artemis II set to open April 1
As NASA finalized preparations, the space agency confirmed that the launch window for Artemis II would open on April 1, 2026. The mission would mark the first crewed mission to the moon since the Apollo program ended in 1972, when Eugene Cernan took his last steps on the lunar surface.
Mon, Mar 30, 2026
Major
NASA confirms Wednesday launch target for historic moon mission
NASA confirmed that the Artemis II crew could launch as soon as Wednesday evening (April 1) at 6:24 p.m. ET from Kennedy Space Center. The nearly 10-day mission would send astronauts around the moon and back for the first time in 53 years, with the Orion capsule spending one day in Earth orbit before propelling to the moon for a flyby and returning for a Pacific Ocean splashdown.
Mon, Mar 30, 2026
Major
Two-day countdown begins for Artemis II launch
NASA officially began the two-day countdown for humanity's first launch to the moon in 53 years. Mission managers reported that the rocket was performing well and weather forecasters indicated conditions should cooperate for the Wednesday evening launch attempt. The countdown clock at Kennedy Space Center began ticking down toward the historic moment.
Tue, Mar 31, 2026
Minor
Artemis II crew profiles reveal personal stakes of historic mission
As the countdown continued, media profiles of the Artemis II astronauts highlighted that the accomplished pilots, engineers, and scientists are also spouses and parents balancing heroic adventure against significant risks and family sacrifices. The crew revealed their hopes, fears, and the personal items they planned to take to the moon, humanizing the most closely watched space crew since Apollo.
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