Who / What
Artemis III is the first crewed lunar landing mission of NASA’s Artemis program. It will use the Starship HLS lander to bring astronauts to the Moon for the first time since Apollo 17.
Background & History
The Artemis program was created to return humans to the Moon and establish a sustainable presence. Artemis III follows the uncrewed Artemis II and is planned to be NASA’s second crewed mission under the program. It is a key milestone in modern lunar exploration beyond the Apollo legacy.
Why Notable
Artemis III will be the first crewed lunar landing in over five decades, reviving human activity on the lunar surface. The mission validates the Starship HLS lander, a critical technology for future deep‑space endeavors. Its success will expand scientific research opportunities and lay groundwork for potential Mars missions.
In the News
As of February 2026 NASA officially expects Artemis III to launch no earlier than 2028, reflecting updated schedule and technical readiness. The timeline has drawn attention from the public, policy makers, and commercial partners invested in lunar exploration. NASA emphasizes the importance of this schedule for crew training, system verification, and overall program continuity.
