NASA will test two competing lunar landers from SpaceX and Blue Origin during the Artemis III mission in 2027, shifting its schedule to evaluate rendezvous and docking operations on Earth’s orbit before astronauts attempt a lunar landing on Artemis IV in 2028, NASA reported.
Artemis III Changes Course to Test SpaceX and Blue Origin Landers on Earth Orbit
NASA altered the profile of the Artemis III mission to prioritize risk reduction on low Earth orbit. Instead of a direct lunar touchdown, the crewed flight will test docking mechanisms and life-support systems with two different lunar vehicles. The agency announced the updated test sequence during an October 2026 press conference at Kennedy Space Center, featuring presentations from senior officials including Jared Isaacman, Amit Kshatriya, and Artemis program manager Jeremy Parsons, according to Kosmonautix and Novinky.
Flight Profiles Contrast SpaceX Fuel Transfers with Blue Origin Architecture
The mission architecture requires three rocket launches and two distinct docking sequences, Novinky reported. The mission begins with Blue Origin launching its Blue Moon Mark 2 lander on a New Glenn rocket, followed by NASA launching the Orion spacecraft on a modified Space Launch System (SLS) core stage without an upper stage, Stoplusjednička reported. Three days later, the Orion crew will dock with the Blue Moon module to test environmental control systems and communications over a two-day period. On the sixth day, SpaceX is scheduled to launch its Starship HLS, which will perform a proximity check and docking test with Orion for approximately two hours without crew transfer, according to Novinky.
The two landers rely on fundamentally different operational methods. SpaceX’s Starship requires multiple orbital refueling flights to transfer cryogenic liquid oxygen and methane before it can travel toward the Moon, a complex sequence that must achieve absolute reliability. In contrast, Blue Origin’s Blue Moon Mark 2 assembles from multiple stages on orbit and launches directly toward the Moon without requiring orbital propellant transfers, VTM.živě.cz reported. The Blue Moon module features a lower center of gravity, reducing tipping risks in lunar gravity compared to the tall Starship architecture.
Crew Assignments and Hardware Progress Shape the 2027 Schedule
The Artemis III crew features NASA astronauts Randy Bresnik, Frank Rubio, and Andre Douglas, alongside European Space Agency astronaut Luca Parmitano from Italy, Novinky reported. Ground preparations continue alongside flight planning. NASA recently completed the structural assembly of the first-stage core for the SLS rocket designated for Artemis III, VTM.živě.cz reported, while Blue Origin works to resume New Glenn flights from Cape Canaveral following a failure earlier in the year, Stoplusjednička reported.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Artemis III Orbital Test
When is the Artemis III orbital test scheduled to take place?
NASA has scheduled the Artemis III mission for the summer of 2027 to evaluate both commercial lander systems on low Earth orbit before selecting a provider for the Artemis IV lunar landing in 2028, Stoplusjednička reported.
Will astronauts enter the SpaceX Starship during the Artemis III test?
No. During the Artemis III test sequence, Orion will dock with SpaceX’s Starship for approximately two hours to verify the docking mechanism, but the crew will not enter the Starship cabin, Novinky reported.
We are not slowing down. 🚀Our Artemis III mission will send four astronauts to low Earth orbit next year to test critical systems needed for future lunar landings https://t.co/jSHP2lHuOx and we’re accelerating efforts to ensure the success of Artemis IV, the first Artemis… pic.twitter.com/m8taK5B7Oy
Which rocket will launch the Blue Moon Mark 2 lander?
The Blue Moon Mark 2 test article will launch on Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket from Space Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral, Stoplusjednička reported.
How long is the Artemis III mission expected to last?
The modified test mission will last approximately fourteen days and conclude with an Orion splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California, Novinky reported.
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