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Congress has just given a thumbs-up to a major NASA moon project, despite some notable critics. The Senate approved an extra $10 billion for the Artemis program, boosting funding for rockets and the Gateway station around the Moon.

This move is seen as a slap to opponents like Elon Musk and Jared Isaacman, who have questioned the traditional rocket tech used in the program. Musk, in particular, has been vocal about the high costs of NASA’s Space Launch System, criticizing its single-use design.

The controversial rocket has cost NASA a hefty $24 billion so far, mainly funneled to aerospace giants like Boeing and Northrop Grumman. While Isaacman has voiced doubts about the rocket’s long-term practicality, Congress remains committed, allocating substantial funds for additional rockets and station construction.

Interestingly, this new funding clashes with President Trump’s earlier proposal to phase out parts of Artemis after the third mission. Besides supporting Moon missions, the budget also includes billions for Mars and space station operations, and a spacecraft to deorbit the ISS by 2030.

Whether Trump signs it into law or not, the debate over rocket technology and space exploration priorities is heating up, making space history even more exciting!