Science
NASA outlines 14-day Artemis III test mission ahead of 2028 landing
Artemis III is expected to fly four astronauts in low Earth orbit in summer 2027, before Artemis IV's planned 2028 landing.
The short version
- Artemis III is expected to launch in summer 2027, with an optimal 14-day flight that could extend to 17 days.[Scientific American]
- Four astronauts aboard Orion would run demonstrations in low Earth orbit with test versions of human landing systems.[NASA News]
- Artemis IV, NASA's first crewed moon landing since Apollo, remains scheduled for 2028.[Associated Press]
- Program manager Jeremy Parsons says Blue Origin and SpaceX are planning for 2028 lunar landings, but New Glenn has not launched since a May explosion.[Scientific American]
Key facts
- NASA administrator Jared Isaacman reported that Artemis III is expected to lift off in summer 2027, though no exact launch window has been announced.[Scientific American]
- Artemis III's optimal flight timeframe is 14 days, and the mission could be expanded to 17 days if necessary.[Scientific American]
- Artemis III will carry four astronauts, including ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano, aboard Orion in low Earth orbit to demonstrate test versions of human landing systems.[NASA News]
- Artemis program manager Jeremy Parsons said Blue Origin and SpaceX are planning for lunar landing missions in 2028.[Scientific American]
- Artemis IV remains scheduled for 2028 as NASA's first moon landing by astronauts since Apollo.[Associated Press]
- Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket has not launched since one of its spacecraft exploded in May.[Scientific American]
What remains uncertain
- No exact launch window has been announced, so the summer 2027 target is not yet a fixed date.[Scientific American]
- Reporting describes the 2028 landing plans as planning by Blue Origin and SpaceX, not confirmed mission schedules.[Scientific American]
- Blue Origin's New Glenn has not launched since a May explosion, and the source describes hurdles that must be overcome before the plans can proceed.[Scientific American]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.
- NASA lays out a packed 14-day schedule for 2027’s Artemis III moon missionScientific American metered
- NASA’s Artemis III Mission to Test Future Moon Lander OperationsNASA News
- NASA adopting Apollo’s urgency to build a moon base and land astronauts within two yearsAssociated Press · Wire: associated-press
- NASA, Partners Accelerate Lander Development for 2028 Moon MissionsNASA News
- NASA outlines revised 2028 Artemis moon landing campaignCBS News - Top Stories
- NASA adopting Apollo’s urgency to build a moon base and land astronauts within two yearsABC News - US News