# What is Nasa’s Artemis III mission? And what comes next?

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/what-is-nasas-artemis-iii-mission-and-what-comes-next/
- Published: 2026-10-27T12:08:28+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-27T12:37:27+00:00
- Original publisher: BBC Science (publisher lean: Centre)
- Original article: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cr5j40ezgz4o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
- Topics: Art, Culture, Science, Space, Technology

## Key points

- Artemis III will rehearse lander dockings in Earth orbit.
- Nasa has named four astronauts for the 2027 mission.
- Artemis IV is planned to take astronauts to the Moon in 2028.

## Summary

Nasa has revealed the four astronauts chosen for Artemis III, a mission now planned as a docking rehearsal in low Earth orbit rather than a lunar landing. The change reflects delays to the SpaceX lander and the unproven refuelling technology it needs; the rehearsal is intended to prepare crews for a planned Moon landing on Artemis IV.

Artemis III is scheduled for summer 2027 and is expected to last 14 days, with a possible extension to 17. Its crew will test dockings with prototype landers from Blue Origin and SpaceX, among a complex sequence involving three rocket launches, three spacecraft and two dockings. Randy Bresnik will command, Luca Parmitano will pilot, and Andre Douglas and Frank Rubio will be mission specialists; Artemis IV is targeted for 2028.

## Coverage

- [BBC Science: What is Nasa’s Artemis III mission? And what comes next?](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cr5j40ezgz4o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss)
- [Engadget: NASA plans to launch three massive rockets for the Artemis 3 crewed lunar test mission](https://www.engadget.com/2298015/nasa-plans-to-launch-three-massive-rockets-for-the-artemis-3-crewed-lunar-test-mission/)

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.