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Science & Nature • Space Exploration

Artemis 3

Artemis 3 is a NASA-led Artemis program mission currently planned as a crewed test flight in Earth orbit.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Artemis 3 is the third scheduled mission in NASA’s Artemis program, following the uncrewed Artemis I and the crewed Artemis II. Under the revised 2026 plan, the mission is a crewed demonstration in low Earth orbit rather than a lunar landing. Its primary purpose is to test rendezvous and docking with commercial human landing system spacecraft to reduce risk for a later crewed lunar landing mission.

Mission overview

Artemis 3 is a NASA Artemis program mission planned for 2027. In the revised flight sequence announced in 2026, it is a crewed Earth-orbit demonstration focused on Orion operations and lunar lander rendezvous rather than a Moon landing. The mission is planned to launch four astronauts aboard the Orion spacecraft on a Space Launch System (SLS) rocket from Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Mission objectives

The mission’s main objective is to test rendezvous, docking, hatch operations, ingress and life-support systems with commercial lunar landers. NASA describes these activities as risk-reduction work for later Artemis missions.

Crew and spacecraft

NASA has announced a four-astronaut crew for Artemis 3, consisting of Randy Bresnik, Luca Parmitano, Andre Douglas, and Frank Rubio. The mission is planned to use the Orion spacecraft launched on the Space Launch System rocket from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The planned landing site is the Pacific Ocean, as a splashdown after the mission.

Relation to Apollo and Artemis history

Artemis 3 has been compared to Apollo 9 because both are Earth-orbit test missions that prepare for lunar operations. Unlike the original Artemis 3 lunar-landing concept, the revised plan shifts the landing goal to a later mission.

International participation

Artemis 3 includes participation by ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano. Canada remains relevant to the broader Artemis programme through its ongoing involvement in NASA-led lunar exploration efforts.

Key facts

  • Artemis 3 is the third scheduled mission in NASA’s Artemis program.
  • NASA’s revised 2026 mission plan describes it as a crewed demonstration in low Earth orbit rather than a lunar landing.
  • The mission is planned to launch four astronauts aboard Orion on an SLS rocket from Kennedy Space Center.
  • Its main purpose is to test rendezvous and docking with commercial human landing system spacecraft.
  • NASA has said the mission is meant to reduce risk for a later crewed lunar landing mission.
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Canadian context

Artemis 3 includes participation by ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano, and Canada remains relevant to the broader Artemis programme through its ongoing involvement in NASA-led lunar exploration efforts.

Frequently asked questions

What is Artemis 3?
Artemis 3 is a NASA Artemis program mission planned as a crewed test flight in Earth orbit to demonstrate Orion rendezvous and docking operations with lunar landers.
When is Artemis 3 launch?
NASA’s current target is 2027.
What are Artemis 3 mission objectives?
The mission is intended to test rendezvous, docking, hatch operations, ingress, and life-support systems, helping reduce risk for a future crewed lunar landing.
Who is in the Artemis 3 crew?
NASA announced four crew members: Randy Bresnik, Luca Parmitano, Andre Douglas, and Frank Rubio.
How is Artemis 3 different from Apollo?
Artemis 3 is an Earth-orbit test mission rather than a direct Moon landing. NASA and other sources have compared it to Apollo 9, which tested lunar mission hardware in Earth orbit before later Apollo landings.
What is the Artemis 3 landing site?
The planned landing site is the Pacific Ocean, as a splashdown after the mission.

References

  1. NASA — https://www.nasa.gov/missions/artemis/artemis-iii/
    Supports: Mission overview, 2027 target, lunar South Pole context, original mission framing
  2. NASA — https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-marches-toward-artemis-iii-mission-in-2027-names-crew-members/
    Supports: Announced crew, 2027 target, mission purpose as Earth-orbit demonstration
  3. European Space Agency — https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Orion/Artemis_III
    Supports: Launch on SLS and Orion, four-astronaut crew, lunar exploration background
  4. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artemis_III
    Supports: 2026 revised flight sequence description, Pacific Ocean splashdown, comparison with later Artemis missions
  5. Space.com — https://www.space.com/space-exploration/artemis/four-astronauts-3-spacecraft-2-weeks-in-orbit-artemis-iii-will-be-nasas-most-complicated-mission-ever
    Supports: Mission objectives, docking with commercial lunar landers, Earth-orbit test profile