NASA moves Artemis III to orbit tests as SpaceX and Blue Origin race for a 2028 moon landing
NASA now plans Artemis III for the third quarter of 2027, with four astronauts aboard Orion docking in low Earth orbit with test landers from SpaceX and Blue Origin. NASA says the tests will help it choose a lander for Artemis IV, targeted for early 2028; SpaceX aims to land an uncrewed Starship by the end of 2027, while Blue Origin targets the first quarter of 2028.
Bottom line — NASA’s Artemis IV landing schedule depends on both companies completing uncrewed lunar demonstrations and meeting safety requirements.
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NASA’s revised plan makes Artemis III an orbital rehearsal, not a lunar landing.
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SpaceX’s Artemis III Starship test article will have a docking system but no crew cabin; astronauts will remain aboard Orion.
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Blue Origin plans a more complete Blue Moon test vehicle, with a crew cabin, partial life support and flight software.
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SpaceX must demonstrate transferring propellant in orbit; a lunar mission could require up to a dozen tanker launches, according to NASA’s timeline.
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Blue Origin’s smaller, uncrewed Blue Moon Mark 1 is scheduled to attempt a lunar landing in the first quarter of 2027.
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NASA’s timeline puts New Glenn’s return to flight in the fourth quarter of 2026, while Reuters reports it may slip to early 2027.