Publicprivate partnership. This is 90 minutes. The subcommittee on space and aeronautics will come to order. Without objection the chair is authorized to declare recess on at any time. Welcome to todays hearing entitled returning to the moon, keeping artemis on track. I would like to acknowledge i appreciate the witnesses being here today. Mother nature is proving to be somewhat challenging this week as you can see by the turnout of membership. This has been hearing thats been much anticipated by the members in a very enthusiastic way, but you have to physically get here, and that is a challenge and the subcommittee chairman is in the air somewhere between here and houston, so the moment he arrives we will have a proper chairman to preside over this process. With that, i want to recognize myself for an opening statement. Good morning and welcome everyone to the science committees first hearing of 2024. Its fitting we are kicking off of the hearing on artemis given its importance to the Space Program and u. S. Competitiveness. My top priority since becoming the chair of the committee has been to ensure the american competitiveness and leadership in the field of research and Technology Development. This includes u. S. Activities in space especially human exploration. The importance of u. S. Leadership in space is why some of our top legislative priorities this congress include a National Reauthorization bill which will consider this spring and the commercial space act. Its been almost seven years since the comprehensive nasa authorization bill was signed into law and that is too long for an agency of nassaus importance. Much has happened during that period and of the committee should provide direction to nasas activities especially for the areas of human exploration. How we address the exploration beyond low earth orbit is undoubtedly a topic we will address in the authorization bill. Artemis is a cornerstone of that effort. I am confident that i speak for everyone on this committee when i say we all support artemis. This committee has long directed to return humans to the moon and eventually mars. But the committees support means asking detailed questions from nasa and providing oversight of the agencys proposals. Congress must have proper insight in the agencys planning and execution of the mission to ensure its success. It also means listing inputs from external stakeholders and hearing differing viewpoints, which is why weve assembled a panel of witnesses with a variety of perspectives today. Last week nasa announced the delay of artemis two to september, 2025 and artemis three to september 2026. I look forward to hearing from nasa about the cause of these delays and potential impacts to future missions and about the steps it is taking to mitigate future risks. We have a responsibility to not only our constituents, but the International Community to see that artemis is executed in a timely and fiscally responsible manner without sacrificing safety. I remind my colleagues that we are not the only country interested in sending humans to the moon. A Chinese Communist partys actively solicited International Partners for a Lunar Mission, a Lunar Research station and stated its ambition to have astronauts on, human astronauts on the surface by 2030. The country that lands first will have the ability to set the precedent for weather future lunar activities are conducted with openness and transparency or in a more restricted manner. Im grateful to the panel for appearing before us today to share their experience and expertise and i look forward to a productive discussion on how we can ensure the success in the best way for the u. S. To be the world leader in human Space Exploration. I now recognize the Ranking Member for his opening statement. Good morning, thank you chairman lucas for holding todays hearing. Returning to the moon, keeping artemis on track. I want to welcome the distinguished witnesses. Thank you for your time and expertise and for being here today. I was not alive huddled around the tv for apollo 11, but my parents watched the landing. Im the son of an Aerospace Engineer and a meteorologist with a deep love of science. I know the profound impact it has had in the world when i look up in the night sky, i wonder whats up there. I want us to know whats up there. Today we are examining the Artemis Mission. The program separated into several stages. Its designed to bring humans stepbystep to the moon and beyond. Artemis will inspire the next generation, strengthen the Aerospace Engineer of International Partnerships and demonstrate capabilities needed to eventually send humans to mars. Last year i was proud to host nasa astronaut doctor rubin in my district in western illinois. Doctor rubin spoke about her excitement for the upcoming generation. She believes that, and i spoke with our witnesses earlier, that the first human that will set foot on mars may be in a first grade classroom today. What an exciting possibility for the next generation, for our children. The Artemis One Mission was an important first unproved test data set the overriding in the vehicle thousands of miles beyond the moon for its return to earth. Artemis to do well test additional systems as it brings humans around the moon, and artemis three wildland humans lk on the lunar s difficulty of ths cannot be underestimated. Last week we learned nasa delaying the artemis two and three mission lie about a year. I stand behind nasa in prioritizing safety and i look forward to gaining further insight in the delay and any related cost. Artemis requires a sustained national investment. In a 2021 report, the office of the Inspector General said, quote, nasa is projected to spend 93 billion on the effort for fiscal year 2012 to 2025. And thats even before we land our astronauts on the moon. As all the geysers with risers with oversightresponsibie needs to ensure that those investments are made wisely. This hearing provides a timely opportunity to get both an update on the progress and an understanding of the pressing issues of the Artemis Program, including does nasa and congress having an appropriate level of understanding of the cost of the artemis systems, individual missions and a sustained Lunar Exploration effort . What is the Critical Path for returning humans to the moon and what is the plan for addressing all of the challenges . How would fiscal 2024 budget and enacted 2023 levels were a cut below the 2023 levels affect this program . How what it nasa and its partners addressing risks and how would the risks be communicated to the American People . In closing, mr. Chairman, i wanted artemis to be safe and successful. Artemis and moon to mars are tremendous opportunities and of importance to the United States and the rest of the world. Americas International Leadership and engagement in the program and the accord will promote peaceful, safe and sustainable exploration of the moon and other celestial bodies. Thank you and i yield back the balance of my time. I now recognize the Ranking Member of the full committee for a statement. Thank you. Good morning and thank you mr. Chairman for holding todays hearing. I want to welcome the witnesses and thank you for being here to discuss the topic of returning to the moon, keeping artemis on track. The committee as the chairman has noted has long maintained its bipartisan support for artemis and the move to mars efforts and i dont see that changing in any way. I was thrilled with of the success of the artemis one test flight. My own state of california, the moon to Mars Campaign supports 11,600 jobs and creativity and Economic Impact of 2. 8 billion according to the 2021 Economic Impact report. So, let me be clear, i support artemis but i want it to be successful especially with china at our heels. We want toe helpful if youre hn the committee in and ensuring that it is strong and staying on track as we look to lead to the theworld handinhand with our partners in the human exploration of the moon and beyond. Sending people into space, let alone the moon isnt easy and nasa announced delays on the missions. I have confidence in the workforce and the decision to keep safety as a top priority. To that and i look forward to understanding the Details Behind the recent delays and what is involved in addressing those issues. At the artemis efforts continue, we as the committee must have our eyes wide open. It is a multidecade affect effort with several administrations full situation awareness and that is number one, we know how much of the key artemis system costs as well as the missions themselves, number two, a realistic understanding of how nasa is assessing the schedule and three, clarity on the topmost technical challenges and risks and how they are being addressed across nasa and the diverse set of partners in the acquisition mechanisms. Nasa has a lot on its plate. The future of low earth orbit and the International Space station operations in 2030, the need for critical and costly vehicles, the transition to the use of future commercial space stations and their readiness to come online. Key considerations on the sample return are on the horizon and thats what we learned last week from nasa and the annual assessment of the global temperature. We must continue the measurement, observations needed to understand and mitigate the impact of the climate crisis. In short, nasa is a multi agency and we cant lose sight of the benefits and challenges of the balance of the portfolio. But supporting balance will be made any easier by the dysfunctional appropriations process that i think threatens to undermine what we know is best for growing our economy in a sustainable way, investments in our entity and innovations. I am excited about the move to mars and i look forward to working with our chairman with the administration and stakeholders on building a smart, strong and sustainable path forward. And i think you mr. Chairman and yield back. The chair would note that when the subcommittee chair arrives mixed in for an opening statement. The response abilities include the development of the moon to mars infrastructure and Management Systems development and planning the deep Space Exploration approach. Previously as the deputy administrator for the director get into prior to that as the overriding program manager. The next witness, director of contracting and National Security acquisitions at the gao. He manages a portfolio that includes issues related to nasa and the Industrial Base and supply chain integrity among other topics. Mr. Russell joined in 2002 and previously served on gao Homeland Security justice. The third witness george scott acting Inspector General. He assumed the role in january of this year having previously served prior to joining. He served over three decades at a gao that included serving as the managing director of the Homeland Security justice team. The final witnesses doctor michael griffin, the copresident a scientific and technical consulting firm. Doctor griffin previously served as the 11th administrator leading the agency from 2005 to 2009. He is also served as the undersecretary of defense for research and engineering as well as the state department at the Johns Hopkins physics laboratory. Again, thank you all for being here today. And i now recognize you for five minutes to present the testimony. Chairman lucas, Ranking Member sorensen and distinguished members of the subcommittee thank you for the opportunity to testify on the Artemis Campaign. Under the campaign the United States along with our International Commercial partners will return humans to the moon to explore and conduct Scientific Research and establish the capability for a long term cousins on and around the moon. Using what we learned we will take the next giant leap sending the first humans to mars. Nasa took the first major step in americas return to the moon with the Artemis One Mission. That launch in the Mission Tested the space launch system rocket, the spacecraft and exploration ground system in preparation for artemis to. Nasa astronauts victor glover, Christina Cook and Jeremy Hansen journey beyond for the furthest humans have gone into space and more than 50 years. Approximately one year after, the crew will land on the south pole and begin building out a robust longterm exploration program. With artemis four, astronauts will again visit to the surface and Start Assembly of the space station in orbit. Nasa has planned for successful sustainable return to the moon requires the development of several systems including the sls rocket, the exploration ground system, lunar landers, the gateway system and new lunar rovers. Last year pursuant to the authorization act in 2022, nasa established the Program Office that focuses on the development of these systems, Mission Integration and management across the portfolio. This new office also leads planning and analysis for the Technology Development to support humans to mars. And in the years since the successful flight test, nasa continued to refine the schedule of the followon mission. Based on data from artemis one and the readiness of the space system needed to transport the cruise from earth to the serviceand back, the artemis tod several new systems to support astronauts inside of orion. In addition we are continuing to study the heat shield to ensure the safety of the crew on the future missions. Based on these factors we are planning to launch in september of 2025. Artemis three will build on the progress and as a commercial lunar lander and advanced spacesuit from walking on the lunar surface. In 2026, artemis three will send humans back to the surface of the moon. While sending humans back to the moon will be a significant accomplishment, we do not intend to stop there. The longterm goal is to send humans to mars and the moon will help us get there. Mars is a rich destination for scientific discovery and a driver of technology that will enable humans to travel and explore far from earth. By using what we learned on and around the earth, nasa is working to understand and overcome the future challenges associated with the landing and living on mars. As they build the blueprint for the exploration throughout the solar system for the benefit of humanity, we conducted the architecture conduct reviews the culmination of the robust analysis process designed to align the exploration strategy and codify the supporting architecture. The annual review is a milestone that enables the strategy to evolve over time as we consider lessons from Previous Missions and provide opportunities to add new technologies as well as new industry and International Partners. Through the Artemis Campaign, they are partnering with of the most diverse and broad exploration coalitions in history including multiple internationally and commercial partners. Nasas Gateway Program is an International Collaboration with the Canadian Space agency, European Space agency, Japan Exploration Agency and now the United Arab Emirates space center. To establish the first space station around the moon. Similarly, additional International Partnerships from the lunar surface habitats, logistics and mobility capabilities that would enable a human presence and enhanced scientific return. Together we will continue to develop the technology and the systems needed to live and work on and around the moon in preparation for Human Missions to mars. Because of our labors astronaut corps, we will be able to fly the first woman, first person of color and First International astronauts to the moon. We will align with our International Partners towards the future of expanded Economic Opportunity and scientific discovery while investing in the next generation of stem leaders as we support the limitless possibility of Space Exploration. Nasa is grateful for the continued support of the Artemis Campaign and i appreciate the opportunity to update you on behalf of nasa and the Artemis Partners and