The Artemis program marks NASA’s return to lunar exploration, paving the way for a sustained human presence on the Moon and future missions to Mars. Each mission—Artemis I, II, and III—serves as a crucial step in testing systems and advancing humanity’s reach beyond Earth orbit.

How These Missions Differ

Artemis I was an uncrewed mission launched on November 16, 2022, to test NASA’s new Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and the Orion spacecraft in lunar orbit. It validated propulsion, communication, and reentry systems for deep-space operations.

Artemis II, planned for April 2026, will be the first crewed mission of the program. Four astronauts will orbit the Moon, testing life-support, navigation, and manual control systems in preparation for future lunar landings.

Artemis III, targeted for no earlier than mid-2027, aims to land astronauts on the Moon’s south pole. It will mark humanity’s first lunar landing since Apollo 17 in 1972 and the first with a woman and person of color.

Rocket and Spacecraft

All three missions rely on NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion spacecraft. The SLS Block 1 configuration uses four RS-25 engines and two solid rocket boosters. The Orion capsule, built for deep-space missions, includes a service module provided by the European Space Agency.

Mission Timeline and Duration

• Artemis I — Launched Nov 16, 2022; 25-day uncrewed lunar orbit mission.
• Artemis II — Planned for April 2026; 10-day crewed lunar flyby mission.
• Artemis III — Targeted for mid-2027; 30-day mission including 7 days on lunar surface.

Crew Details

Artemis I flew without a crew, carrying instrumented mannequins and sensors. Artemis II will carry Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, Mission Specialist Christina Koch, and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen. The Artemis III crew has not yet been finalized.

Why It Matters

These missions represent the foundation for a long-term human presence on the Moon. By perfecting deep-space systems, NASA aims to unlock new scientific frontiers and establish a stepping stone for future missions to Mars.

Summary Table

“We are going back to the Moon to stay, and then on to Mars.”

- NASA Administrator Bill Nelson

Below is a quick comparison of the three Artemis missions:

Artemis I — Uncrewed | 25 days | Tested SLS + Orion\nArtemis II — 4 crew | 10 days | Crewed lunar flyby\nArtemis III — 4 crew (2 land) | 30 days | Crewed lunar landing

Each Artemis mission builds upon the last — from testing technology to carrying humans and ultimately landing them on the Moon. Together, they mark the beginning of a new era in space exploration.