Science & Tech · Space · 6 hrs ago
NASA plans 2027 test of Blue Origin and SpaceX lunar landers
NASA plans a 2027 test mission in low-Earth orbit to prepare for a crewed moon landing planned for 2028.
The mission, called Artemis III, will involve NASA's Orion spacecraft and landers being developed by Blue Origin and SpaceX.
The companies have contracts to build vehicles that can carry astronauts from Orion down to the lunar surface.
During the roughly 14-day mission, the landers will practise docking with Orion, and the spacecraft will dock and separate multiple times.
The test will help NASA assess which lander to use for Artemis IV, which is planned to bring astronauts back to the moon for the first time since 1972.
Neither lander has flown with a crew or docked with a spacecraft carrying astronauts, and Blue Origin's lander has not yet flown a test flight.
NASA says it is pressing ahead with the schedule and expects a complex campaign involving three large rocket launches.
NASA plans to launch a low-Earth orbit test mission in 2027 involving lunar landers developed by Blue Origin and SpaceX.
The Artemis III mission is intended to test the landers’ ability to dock with the crewed Orion spacecraft.
NASA says the test will help it assess which lander might be used for Artemis IV, which is slated to include a crewed lunar landing.
The estimated 14-day mission is expected to involve three rocket launches and multiple dockings and undockings.
NASA reaffirmed its commitment to the test mission ahead of a planned crewed lunar landing in 2028.
- Who
- NASA, Blue Origin and SpaceX are involved.
- What
- NASA plans a low-Earth orbit test mission involving landers developed by Blue Origin and SpaceX.
- When
- 2027.
- Where
- Low-Earth orbit.
- Why
- The mission is designed to test the landers and help NASA assess which one might be used for Artemis IV.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Jared Isaacman changed NASA’s moon-landing roadmap by adding a 2027 test mission.
A New Glenn rocket exploded during ground tests, destroying Blue Origin’s Florida launch site.
NASA outlined details of the planned test mission and reaffirmed its commitment to launching it the following year.
NASA plans to launch the Artemis III low-Earth orbit test mission.
NASA plans a crewed lunar landing.
- Mission
- Artemis III
- Planned launch
- 2027
- Mission duration
- Estimated 14 days
- Rocket launches
- Three
- Test location
- Low-Earth orbit
- Planned crewed lunar landing
- 2028
What people are saying
We will not delude ourselves into believing that more time, more money, and flying less will somehow make our work safer or more achievable
Every vendor and partner should understand that when a schedule is broken, NASA personnel will be knocking on the door, and not to observe, not to write a paper or convene a committee, but to roll up their sleeves and solve problems
likely the most complicated launch campaign ever undertaken