NASA is discontinuing the planned lunar Gateway space station in order to focus on establishing a permanent base on the surface of the moon. The move is part of a broader effort to strengthen the agency's workforce, simplify program architecture, increase launch cadence, and compete with China's lunar ambitions. The agency plans to return astronauts to the moon and establish a sustained human presence there as part of the Artemis program. The announcement was made ahead of NASA's scheduled launch of the first crewed mission, scheduled for April 1, which will fly three NASA and one astronaut around the moon as a stepping stone toward a lunar landing and eventual permanent base. The new approach requires increased cadence of launches and requires repurpose equipment and international partner commitments to support surface and other program objectives.