Artemis 3

Artemis 3
Name	Artemis 3
Mission type	Crewed lunar landing
Operator	NASA
Spacecraft	Orion
Landing site	Lunar south pole region
Launch date	No earlier than September 2026
Launch rocket	Space Launch System
Launch site	Kennedy Space Center, LC-39B
Programme	Artemis program
Previous	Artemis 2
Next	Artemis 4

Artemis 3 is a planned crewed mission within NASA's Artemis program, designed to return humans to the surface of the Moon for the first time since the conclusion of the Apollo program in 1972. The mission will involve a crew of four astronauts, with two descending to the lunar surface near the lunar south pole, a region of significant scientific interest due to its potential resources like water ice. As the first crewed lunar landing of the 21st century, it represents a cornerstone in establishing a sustainable human presence on the Moon and serves as a critical proving ground for future missions to Mars.

Overview

Artemis 3 is a pivotal element of the broader international effort led by NASA under the Artemis Accords. The mission builds directly upon the uncrewed test flight of Artemis 1 and the crewed lunar flyby of Artemis 2. Its primary goal is to execute a precision landing in the challenging terrain of the lunar south pole, an area never visited by Apollo astronauts. Success depends on the integrated performance of new deep-space infrastructure, including the Space Launch System rocket, the Orion spacecraft, and the Starship HLS human landing system developed by SpaceX. The mission profile includes a multi-day surface stay, featuring several extravehicular activity excursions.

Mission profile

The mission will commence with launch aboard a Space Launch System Block 1 rocket from Launch Complex 39B at the Kennedy Space Center. The Orion spacecraft will then perform a trans-lunar injection, carrying the crew on a multi-day journey to lunar orbit. In a Near-rectilinear halo orbit, Orion will rendezvous with the pre-positioned Starship HLS lander. Two astronauts will transfer to the lander, undock, and execute a powered descent to the selected landing site. Following surface operations, the landing crew will ascend in the lander to rendezvous and dock with Orion in orbit. The entire crew will then return to Earth, with Orion splashing down in the Pacific Ocean under parachutes, likely near San Diego.

Scientific objectives

The scientific agenda for the surface mission is extensive and focused on in-situ resource utilization and planetary science. A major objective is to sample and analyze permanently shadowed regions for water ice and other volatiles, which are crucial for future life support and rocket propellant. Astronauts will deploy a suite of instruments, potentially including a lunar geophysical network to study moonquakes and internal structure. They will also collect a diverse array of geological samples from the ancient south pole terrain to understand the impact crater history and the volcanism of the Moon. These activities support the goals outlined by NASA's Scientific Discovery and Advanced Exploration Systems divisions.

Lunar landing site

NASA has identified 13 candidate regions near the lunar south pole, all within six degrees of latitude. Final selection will consider factors like continuous communication with Earth, lighting conditions for solar power, and safe terrain for landing and traversing. Key areas of interest include ridges near the Shackleton and de Gerlache craters, which may offer access to shadowed craters. The Malapert Massif is another candidate, providing a high-elevation vantage point. Site analysis heavily relies on data from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and the ShadowCam instrument.

Spacecraft and hardware

The mission utilizes an integrated stack of next-generation vehicles. The launch will be performed by the Space Launch System, the most powerful rocket ever built. The crew will travel in the Orion spacecraft, built by Lockheed Martin and equipped with a European Service Module provided by the European Space Agency. The human landing system is a variant of SpaceX's Starship, known as Starship HLS, which includes living quarters and an airlock. Crews will use next-generation xEMU spacesuits for lunar surface operations, designed for greater mobility and dust tolerance than Apollo-era suits.

Crew and training

The crew for the mission will be selected from NASA's active Astronaut Corps, which includes members from the Artemis Team and the most recent NASA Astronaut Group 23. The composition is expected to include the first woman and the first person of color to walk on the Moon. Training is an intensive, multi-year process involving simulations of landing and ascent in Johnson Space Center facilities, geological field work, and operations with the new xEMU suits. Crews will also train extensively on the systems of both the Orion spacecraft and the Starship HLS lander.

Future implications

Artemis 3 is designed not as an endpoint but as the foundational mission for a sustained lunar exploration architecture. It will validate the technologies and operations needed for the construction of the Lunar Gateway and subsequent Artemis missions. The mission directly supports the objectives of NASA's Moon to Mars initiative, using the Moon as a testbed for the systems, robotics, and resource utilization techniques required for eventual human expeditions to Mars. The international partnerships solidified through the Artemis Accords and the commercial involvement exemplified by SpaceX set a precedent for future global deep-space exploration efforts.

Category:Artemis program Category:Planned space missions Category:Human spaceflight