NASA’s Artemis III mission is scheduled for late 2027 to test the Human Landing System in Earth orbit, according to the Artemis program’s mission timeline. The mission follows the Artemis II crewed lunar flyby in 2026, which served as the first crewed flight beyond low Earth orbit since the Apollo program. The Artemis II mission is scheduled to carry a crew of four astronauts—Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen—to test the Orion spacecraft’s life-support systems in a lunar environment.
The progression of Artemis missions
The Artemis program, which was formally established in 2017 via Space Policy Directive-1, is organized around a series of missions of increasing complexity. According to Wikipedia, the uncrewed Artemis I mission sent an Orion spacecraft to lunar orbit in 2022. Following the Artemis II flight, the Artemis III mission is planned to test a Human Landing System (HLS) lunar lander in Earth orbit.
NASA’s long-term schedule includes Artemis IV, targeted for 2028, which is planned to be the first crewed lunar landing since the Apollo program. Beginning with Artemis V, scheduled for no earlier than late 2028, NASA intends to conduct yearly lunar landings to develop a permanent lunar base as a step toward human missions to deeper space.
The Human Landing System
The Human Landing System (HLS) is a critical component for landing astronauts on the lunar surface. NASA has contracted SpaceX to develop a lunar lander based on the Starship spacecraft architecture. To support the mission profile, the Starship HLS will require multiple propellant transfer maneuvers in Earth orbit to ensure sufficient fuel is available for the descent to and ascent from the Moon.
While the program aims for sustainability, Wikipedia reports that certain program choices, including the use of a near-rectilinear halo orbit and long-term sustainability plans, have drawn criticism.
Program costs and international partnerships
The Artemis program involves significant financial investment and global cooperation. Wikipedia reports the program cost is US$93 billion for the period of 2012–2025, with $53 billion allocated for 2021–2025.
The program is led by NASA alongside several international partners. According to Wikipedia, these partners include the European Space Agency (ESA), the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), the German Aerospace Center (DLR), the UK Space Agency (UKSA), the Italian Space Agency (ASI), the Israel Space Agency (ISA), the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI), and the China Space Agency (CSAP). International collaborations are governed by the Artemis Accords. The Accords establish a set of non-binding principles for cooperation in space, emphasizing transparency, the sharing of scientific data, interoperability between different nations’ systems, and the protection of lunar heritage sites.
Core infrastructure and technical systems
The core infrastructure of the Artemis program consists of the Space Launch System (SLS), the Orion spacecraft, and the HLS. According to Wikipedia, the program utilizes Space Shuttle–derived hardware, such as the SLS core stage, its RS-25 engines, and solid rocket boosters. It also includes systems originating from the canceled Constellation program, such as the Orion spacecraft and its pairing with the European Service Module. The European Service Module, developed by the European Space Agency (ESA), provides the Orion spacecraft with essential propulsion, electrical power, water, and air.
Other essential elements of the program include the Commercial Lunar Payload Services, Exploration Ground Systems, Artemis Base Camp, the Lunar Terrain Vehicle, and spacesuit development.
Lunar South Pole and Artemis Base Camp
The Artemis missions target the lunar south pole to investigate the presence of water ice in permanently shadowed regions. This ice is a primary target for scientific study and a potential resource for in-situ resource utilization, where water can be processed into oxygen and hydrogen for life support and rocket propellant. To support a long-term presence, the Artemis Base Camp is designed to include the Lunar Terrain Vehicle (LTV) for surface mobility and advanced spacesuit technology designed to withstand extreme lunar temperatures.
NASA reports that men and women across America and around the world are building the systems to support missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. The agency states that every state in America has made a contribution to the Artemis campaign, which is intended to fuel new industries, support job growth, and increase demand for a highly skilled workforce. The Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program also supports this economic goal by contracting private companies to deliver scientific instruments and technology to the lunar surface.
