Put it in pencil: NASA's Artemis III mission will launch no earlier than late 2027
Source: Ars Technica
Timeline Update
NASA’s Artemis III mission is now expected to launch no earlier than late 2027, with a possible landing attempt in 2028.
Comments from Jeff Isaacman
“I’ve received responses from both vendors, both SpaceX and Blue Origin, to meet our needs for a late 2027 rendezvous, docking, and test of the interoperability of both landers in advance of a landing attempt in 2028,” Isaacman told a House Appropriations subcommittee hearing.
“The taxpayers are making a very big investment to both SpaceX and Blue Origin’s Human Landing System (HLS) capability. I would also appreciate that both those companies are investing well in excess of that, as well.”
“It’s that capability that allows us not just to get back to the Moon, but really build the Moon base, put lots of mass, sufficiently and affordably, on the surface, not to mention every other application that comes from a rocket that you don’t have to throw away. So we’re very grateful for that.”
Technical Challenges
Both Starship (SpaceX) and Blue Moon (Blue Origin) are significantly larger than the Apollo lunar lander and will need to be refueled in space to reach the Moon—an added complexity not required for Earth‑orbit missions.
A test similar to Apollo 9 would require:
- An advanced, independent life‑support system
- Human‑rated engines
- A cockpit and flight controls
- A docking mechanism
SpaceX and Blue Origin have released few details on the development status of these systems.
Artist Rendering
Credit: NASA/SpaceX
Potential Mission Scenarios
NASA could opt for a less ambitious Artemis III profile, featuring a rendezvous and docking without an independent crewed flight of the lunar lander. The agency’s decision will depend on:
- The progress of SpaceX’s next‑generation Starship Version 3 rocket
- Blue Origin’s planned uncrewed landing near the Moon’s south pole with the Blue Moon cargo lander
These factors will shape the final mission architecture in the coming months.