What is Nasa’s Artemis III mission? And what comes next?
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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.
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In short
- 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.
How this story developed
- 4 minutes ago Nasa’s Artemis III mission, planned for summer 2027, will not land astronauts on the Moon.
- 33 minutes ago 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.
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