Artemis III Moon Lander Test is a major step toward sending astronauts back to the Moon. The Artemis III Moon Lander Test is now planned as a crewed test in low Earth orbit in summer 2027. Its goal is simple: check that the new commercial landers work safely before anyone tries to land on the lunar surface.
NASA announced the updated plan during a press conference at Kennedy Space Center on October 23, 2026. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, Associate Administrator Amit Kshatriya, and Artemis program manager Jeremy Parsons explained the changes and outlined the mission’s goals.
What Is the Artemis III Moon Lander Test?
Artemis III was originally planned to return astronauts to the Moon for the first time since Apollo 17 in 1972. However, NASA has now changed the plan. Artemis III will take place in Earth orbit, while the first crewed Moon landing is planned for Artemis IV in 2028.
During the Artemis III Moon Lander Test, the Orion spacecraft will meet and dock with test versions of lunar landers developed by SpaceX and Blue Origin. These test vehicles, known as test articles, that are designed to help NASA understand how the actual landers will work. They are not the final landers but they are close enough to show how the real vehicles will behave.
Why NASA Is Testing Moon Landers Before Astronauts Return?
The main reason is safety. The main reason for this change is astronaut safety. Landing on the Moon involves several difficult steps, and every one of them must work correctly. The Orion spacecraft must find and dock with the lunar lander, both vehicles must work together properly, and communication systems must remain reliable throughout the mission.
Testing these systems in Earth orbit is safer than testing them near the Moon. If something goes wrong, astronauts will be much closer to Earth. The Artemis III Moon Lander Test will also give NASA real flight data, helping engineers to identify and fix problems before attempting an actual lunar landing. NASA has also made it clear that both test landers must pass the necessary safety checks before astronauts approach them. This extra testing will make sure the spacecraft are ready for future Moon missions.
How Artemis III Moon Lander Test Will Work?
The mission is expected to last about 14 days and will use three rockets launches from Florida. These are:
- Blue Origin’s New Glenn will launch first, carrying a test version of its Blue Moon lunar lander into orbit.
- NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) will then launch the four astronauts inside Orion.
- SpaceX’s Starship will send its lander test article to orbit after the crew has launched.
During the Artemis III Moon Lander Test, Orion will approach and dock with both lander test vehicles separately. The landers will act as targets, while Orion will move toward them and connect. These tests will help NASA check whether the spacecraft can safely meet and dock in orbit. Once both docking tests are complete, Orion will bring the astronauts back to Earth, ending the mission with a splashdown in the ocean.
Role of Astronauts During the Mission.
The astronauts will first check Orion’s systems before approaching the moon landers. NASA says that up to two crew members will enter the Blue Origin test lander to check its systems.
But, the crew will not enter the SpaceX’s Starship test vehicle. Instead, NASA will focus on how Orion and Starship work together while docked. Astronauts will check whether they can control the connected spacecraft properly and maintain reliable communication between the two vehicles. These checks will help NASA to prepare for future missions to the Moon.
Artemis III Crew
The mission will carry four astronauts: NASA’s Randy Bresnik, Andre Douglas, and Frank Rubio, along with Luca Parmitano from the European Space Agency (ESA). Having an ESA astronaut on board shows the international teamwork behind the Artemis program, as NASA and its partners work together to prepare for future human missions to the Moon.
Blue Moon vs Starship: Two Different Approaches
SpaceX and Blue Origin are developing two different lunar landers. SpaceX is building its Starship vehicle, while Blue Origin is working on the Blue Moon lander. By testing both during the Artemis III Moon Lander Test, NASA will see how each vehicle performs in space and can compare them side by side.
This approach will also reduce the risks before sending astronauts to the Moon. NASA has not announced which lander will carry the first crew to the lunar surface. Testing both vehicles in Earth orbit will give NASA real data that help to make the decision and prepare for a safer Moon landing.
Delays and Challenges
The timeline for Artemis III is already facing some challenges. In an internal memo last month, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman told employees that the mission was running about 90 days behind schedule. He also pointed to supply chain problems affecting both lunar lander test vehicles.
Launching three powerful rockets for a single mission is very complex. NASA officials have described the operation as one of the most complex launch campaigns the agency has ever attempted. Dates may still change, so readers should treat “summer 2027” as a target, not a guarantee.
Key Facts at a Glance
- Mission: Artemis III, a crewed test in low Earth orbit
- Target launch: Summer 2027
- Duration: About 14 days
- Crew: Randy Bresnik, Andre Douglas, Frank Rubio, Luca Parmitano
- Rockets: SLS, New Glenn and Starship
- Next step: Artemis IV, the planned first landing, in 2028
FAQ
Will Artemis III land on the Moon?
No. Artemis III will not land on the Moon. It will stay in low Earth orbit. The first landing is planned for Artemis IV.
What is the main goal of the Artemis III Moon Lander Test?
To test, rendezvous and docking between the Orion sapcecraft and the commercial lander test vehicles and to check that their key systems work properly before a real Moon landing.
When will Artemis III launch?
NASA is targeting summer 2027, but the schedule may shift.
Conclusion
The Artemis III Moon Lander Test may not take astronauts to the lunar surface, but it could play a major role in NASA’s plan to send humans to the Moon. By testing both SpaceX’s Starship and Blue Origin’s Blue Moon lander in Earth orbit, NASA aims to identify problems and improve safety before attempting a landing.
If the mission goes as planned in 2027, it will give NASA valuable experience and data for the next stage of lunar exploration. The goal is simple: test the landers first, reduce the risks, and then attempt to land astronauts on the Moon. This could help prepare the way for the planned Artemis IV lunar landing in 2028, although the schedule may still change.