NASA Artemis 3 Moon Landing: Crew, Date and Mission Plan
NASA is closing in on the first crewed lunar landing since 1972. Here is the crew, the target date and the full mission profile.
<p>NASA has confirmed Artemis 3 will attempt the first crewed lunar landing in more than 50 years. The mission is a joint effort between NASA, SpaceX and international partners including CSA, ESA and JAXA.</p>
<h2>The crew</h2>
<p>The four-person crew has been in training for over two years. Two astronauts will descend to the surface aboard the SpaceX Starship Human Landing System, while the other two remain in lunar orbit aboard Orion.</p>
<h2>Landing site</h2>
<p>The target is the lunar south pole, chosen for the presence of water ice in permanently shadowed craters. The specific landing zone is one of 13 candidate regions NASA has been evaluating.</p>
<h2>The mission profile</h2>
<p>Orion launches on SLS Block 1, rendezvous with a pre-positioned Starship HLS in lunar orbit, and two crew descend for a surface stay of about a week. Multiple moonwalks are planned.</p>
<h2>Why it matters</h2>
<p>Artemis 3 is the foundation for a permanent lunar presence and, eventually, crewed Mars missions. Delays are still possible if Starship HLS refueling tests hit snags, but NASA is aiming for a launch window inside the next 18 months.</p>
