美国“载人登月计划”要塌方了？

Core Viewpoint - The proposed budget from the White House suggests retiring the SLS rocket and the Lunar Gateway, casting doubt on the future of the Artemis program and signaling a significant shift in U.S. lunar ambitions [1][3][15]. Group 1: SLS Rocket and Lunar Gateway - The SLS rocket and Lunar Gateway were seen as essential components of the Artemis program, representing significant political and financial investments by NASA [3][5]. - The SLS rocket has faced continuous delays and budget overruns, with development costs reaching $24 billion and a per-launch cost of $4 billion, making it one of the most expensive rockets with minimal flight history [5][6]. - The political backing for SLS has been strong due to its distribution of contracts across various states, making it a "Congressional Rocket" that is difficult to cancel without significant political repercussions [6][7]. Group 2: Budget Proposal Implications - The budget proposal reflects a broader trend of budget cuts under the Trump administration, impacting NASA's ability to sustain the SLS and Lunar Gateway projects [7][15]. - The Lunar Gateway, initially envisioned as a critical hub for lunar missions, is now at risk of being abandoned due to its high costs and unclear functional benefits [10][11]. - The proposal to cut these projects indicates a potential strategic pivot towards more immediate and economically viable goals, such as Mars exploration and private space initiatives [15][16]. Group 3: Comparison with China's Lunar Program - The U.S. approach to lunar exploration has become increasingly complex, relying on multiple components like the Lunar Gateway, while China's strategy focuses on a more straightforward execution of lunar missions [19][20]. - China's lunar program emphasizes a clear and efficient path to landing and returning from the moon, contrasting with the U.S. strategy that has become bogged down in political and logistical challenges [20][21]. - The U.S. may risk falling behind in the lunar race as China's lunar missions progress steadily, highlighting the need for a reassessment of U.S. lunar ambitions and strategies [16][19].