Former NASA administrator says Artemis 3 architecture is unworkable; panel urges clearer mission and funding

At a House Science subcommittee hearing, former NASA administrator Dr. Michael Griffin told lawmakers that the current Artemis 3 architecture ‘‘cannot work’’ because it depends on a sequence of unproven in-space refueling flights and risks propellant boil-off during long staging intervals.

Griffin (first spoken reference at SEG 319; testimony at SEG 636) said the mission’s technical assumptions have not been demonstrated and recommended canceling Artemis 3 as currently conceived and re‑architecting a feasible approach using systems available today or near‑term.

Other witnesses joined the panel in saying the United States should avoid policy driven solely by schedule. Dr. Clayton Swope and Dr. Patrick Bisha urged clearer authorization language and consistent demand signals so industry and small suppliers can plan investment and production. They emphasized that government investment should balance large strategic missions with science and innovation that sustain long‑term competitiveness.

During questioning, witnesses described specific technical problems Griffin raised: multiple refueling flights in low Earth orbit of an Earth‑departure vehicle whose propellant could boil off before use; the uncertain number of refueling missions required; and the risk of a lander waiting in lunar orbit for months while crew operations proceed. Panelists did not reach a consensus on whether to cancel Artemis 3 but agreed that Congress should set clear mission priorities and funding profiles before committing to high‑risk architectures.

The hearing produced no formal decision on Artemis programs; the record remains open for follow‑up questions and written submissions.