NASA plans to launch the Artemis III lunar mission no earlier than 2027. What is known

NASA has revised the objectives of the Artemis III mission, shifting the focus from the moon landing to orbital testing. The launch of the ship is scheduled for 2027. All the details are in the Izvestia article.

NASA's Plans

According to NASA, the Artemis III mission will be launched no earlier than 2027. The flight was originally planned for 2025-2026, but the dates were repeatedly shifted. The very concept of the mission has also undergone changes: now it is considered as a demonstration flight in low-Earth orbit.

Direct human landing on the moon's surface has been postponed to the next stage of the program. A manned landing is expected as part of the Artemis IV mission, which is scheduled for 2028. Such adjustments make it possible to prepare the technical base more thoroughly.

Technical equipment and crew

The Space Launch System superheavy rocket and the Orion spacecraft will be used to carry out the Artemis III mission. The Orion spacecraft, which looks like the technology of the Apollo era, is equipped with advanced life support and navigation systems for deep space operations. The crew will consist of four people, including the commander, the pilot and two specialists.

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The main technical task will be to work out the interaction with commercial landing modules. Astronauts will test rendezvous and docking with SpaceX's Starship HLS system in lunar orbit. Perhaps the Blue Moon system developed by Blue Origin will also participate in the program.

Artemis II results and preparations

The revision of the plans is based on the results of the successful Artemis II mission. During the last stage, the crew set a record distance from Earth for manned spacecraft, reaching a mark of more than 406 771 km. The astronauts confirmed the operability of communication and manual control systems in deep space.

The upcoming Artemis III mission is supposed to be a dress rehearsal for returning humans to the moon. Experts intend to ensure the reliability of the Orion spacecraft and lunar modules. Testing key elements in real-world space conditions will be a critical step to ensure the safety of future expeditions.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.