The third mission of the Artemis program will mark humanity's return to the lunar surface, with the first woman and first person of color to walk on the Moon.
Collect samples from the lunar South Pole, a region never explored before. Study water ice deposits that could support future missions.
Test new spacesuits (AxEMU, developed by Axiom Space), advanced life support systems and technologies for future sustainable lunar presence.
The Moon serves as a testing ground for technologies and procedures needed for future human missions to Mars.
The SLS rocket is the most powerful launch vehicle ever built by NASA. At 98 meters tall with 39.1 meganewtons of thrust, it can carry over 27 tonnes to the Moon.
Orion (Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle) is the capsule designed to transport astronauts into deep space. Built by Lockheed Martin, with the European Service Module provided by ESA.
SpaceX won the NASA contract to develop a Starship variant as the lunar lander. It will carry 2 astronauts from lunar orbit to the surface and back.
The Artemis 3 crew has not yet been officially announced
For the first time in history, a woman will walk on the lunar surface.
The crew will represent the diversity of humanity in this historic mission.
Four astronauts will travel to the Moon, two of whom will descend to the surface.
SLS lifts off from Kennedy Space Center in Florida with Orion and 4 astronauts.
Orion travels to the Moon on a trans-lunar injection trajectory.
Orion docks with Starship HLS already in lunar orbit.
2 astronauts transfer to Starship and descend to the surface at the South Pole.
Extravehicular activities (EVA), sample collection, scientific experiments.
Starship ascends to orbit and re-docks with Orion.
Orion undocks and returns to Earth with splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.