# Artemis: NASA's Lunar Exploration Program
# Author: NASA
# Source: https://www.nasa.gov/humans-in-space/artemis/
# License: Public Domain (US Government work, 17 U.S.C. § 105)
# Excerpt: Program overview

Artemis Artemis Artemis Overview Artemis Accords Join Artemis Artemis I Artemis II Artemis II Overview Artemis II Crew Orion Spacecraft Space Launch System Rocket Exploration Ground Systems Artemis II Science Artemis II Multimedia Resources for News Media Artemis III Artemis III Overview Artemis III Crew Orion Spacecraft Space Launch System Rocket Exploration Ground Systems Human Landing System Artemis Science Artemis IV Artemis IV Overview Orion Spacecraft Space Launch System Rocket Exploration Ground Systems Human Landing System Spacesuits and Rovers  Artemis Science

 Artemis
 Under Artemis, NASA will send astronauts on increasingly difficult missions to explore more of the Moon for scientific discovery, economic benefits, and to build on our foundation for the first crewed missions to Mars.

 Quick Facts

 Artemis II, the first crewed Artemis flight, marks a key step toward long‑term return to the Moon and future missions to Mars.

 During Artemis I, the SLS (Space Launch System), roared into the night sky and sent the Orion spacecraft on a 1.4-million-mile journey beyond the Moon and back.

 NASA, in coordination with the U.S. Department of State and seven other initial signatory nations, established the Artemis Accords in 2020.

 Strengthening Artemis
 To achieve the national goal of landing American astronauts on the surface of the Moon and maintaining U.S. superiority in exploration and discovery, NASA is increasing its cadence of missions under the Artemis program, standardizing the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket configuration, and adding a new mission.

 Artemis Missions about Strengthening Artemis

 Artemis News

 More Artemis News

 48 Min Read Meet Artemis III Article 3 Min Read I Am Artemis: Elkin Norena Blog 3 Min Read Crew Works Microbiology, Advanced Tech and Congratulates New Artemis III Crew Image Article 1 Min Read Artemis III Crew Announced
 9 Min Read NASA Marches Toward Artemis III Mission in 2027, Names Crew Members News Release
 5 Min Read NASA’s Artemis II Moon Mission Research Continues on Earth Article
 1 Min Read Final Artemis III SLS Booster Segments En Route to NASA Kennedy Blog
 4 Min Read A Moonlit Earth as Seen From Artemis II Article

 Lunar Exploration

 Lunar Discovery

 Moon to Mars

 Lunar Exploration

 The Moon is a 4.5-billion-year-old time capsule.
 We’re going back to the Moon for scientific discovery, economic benefits, and inspiration for a new generation of explorers. While maintaining American leadership in exploration, we will build a global alliance and explore deep space for the benefit of all.

 Earth's Moon

 On flight day six of the Artemis I mission, the Orion spacecraft used its optical navigation camera to snap this black-and-white photo of the Moon. NASA

 Lunar Discovery

 The Moon holds clues to the evolution of Earth, the planets, and the Sun.
 Through Artemis, NASA will address high priority science questions, focusing on those that are best accomplished by on-site human explorers on and around the Moon and Mars by using robotic surface and orbiting systems.

 Artemis Science

 Artemis geology training lead at Johnson Space Center in Houston, Cindy Evans (left) and NASA astronaut Christina Koch study geologic features in Iceland during Artemis II crew geology training in August 2024. NASA/Robert Markowitz

 Moon to Mars

 Like the Moon, Mars is a rich destination for scientific discovery.
 Mars remains our horizon goal for human exploration because it is one of the only other places we know where life may have existed in the solar system. What we learn about the Red Planet will tell us more about our Earth’s past and future, and may help answer whether life exists beyond our home planet.

 Humans on Mars

 Illustration of an astronaut on Mars using a remote control drone to inspect a nearby cliff. NASA

 Missions

 Artemis I

 Launched in 2022, Artemis I was the first in a series of increasingly complex missions that will enable human exploration at the Moon and future missions to Mars.

 Artemis II

 The first crewed Artemis flight marks a key step toward long‑term return to the Moon and future missions to Mars.

 Artemis III

 Scheduled for 2027, this new demonstration mission in low Earth orbit will test one or both commercial landers from SpaceX and Blue Origin, respectively. 

 Artemis IV

 NASA continues to target early 2028 for the first Artemis lunar landing, a date that has remained unchanged since mid‑2025. After reaching lunar orbit, the crew will transfer from Orion to a commercial lunar lander for their descent to the Moon’s surface.

 Artemis V

 Using the standard SLS (Space Launch System) rocket configuration, NASA expects to launch this lunar surface mission by late 2028, with subsequent missions planned roughly once per year.

 Our Artemis II Crew
 Meet the astronauts who ventured around the Moon on Artemis II, the first crewed flight aboard NASA’s human deep space capabilities, paving the way for future lunar surface missions.

 Forging New Frontiers about Our Artemis II Crew

 Media Resources

 Artemis II Press Kit

 Artemis II Reference Guide

 Artemis II Resources for Media

 Spacecraft

 Rocket

 Ground Systems

 Lunar Landers

 Spacesuits & Rovers

 Lunar Delivery

 Gateway

 Artemis Partners

 Carrying Humanity to the Moon

 Orion is developed to be capable of sending astronauts to the Moon and is a crucial step toward eventually sending crews on to Mars.
 The Orion spacecraft will serve as the exploration vehicle that will carry and sustain the crew on Artemis missions to the Moon and return them safely to Earth. Orion will launch on NASA’s new heavy-lift rocket, the SLS (Space Launch System).

 About Orion

 The full Moon is seen behind NASA’s Artemis II SLS (Space Launch System) rocket and Orion spacecraft, standing atop a mobile launcher at Launch Complex 39B, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026, at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. NASA/John Kraus

 A Single Launch

 NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) offers more payload mass, volume, and departure energy than any other single rocket.
 Combining power and capability, NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket is part of NASA’s backbone for deep space exploration and Artemis. SLS is the only rocket that can send Orion, astronauts, and cargo directly to the Moon in a single launch.

 About the Space Launch System

 Clouds and the Sun illuminate the sky on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, as NASA’s Artemis II SLS (Space Launch System) rocket and Orion spacecraft stand vertical at Launch Complex 39B at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. NASA/Cory S. Huston

 The Infrastructure

 Preparing the infrastructure to support NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket and Orion spacecraft.
 Exploration Ground Systems, based at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, develops and operates the systems and facilities needed to process, launch, and recover rockets and spacecraft for NASA’s Artemis missions.

 About Exploration Ground Systems

 Technicians with NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems team prepare to attach a crane to lift and secure NASA’s Orion spacecraft on top of the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket in High Bay 3 of the Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. NASA/Amber Jean Notvest

 Delivering Crew, Cargo to the Lunar Frontier

 Working with American industry to send crew, cargo, and supplies to the Moon.
 NASA is working with industry to develop the human landing systems, or next-generation landers, that will safely carry Artemis astronauts from lunar orbit to the Moon’s surface and back for future crewed exploration of the Moon.

 About Lunar Landers

 Artist concept of SpaceX’s Starship Human Landing System (HLS) on the Moon. SpaceX

 Mobility for Every Mission

 Providing spacesuit capabilities and surface mobility systems for humanity’s return to the Moon.
 The Extravehicular Activity and Human Surface Mobility Program serves as NASA’s program to develop next-generation spacesuits, human-rated rovers, tools, and the spacewalk support systems that will enable astronauts to survive and work outside the confines of a spacecraft to explore on and around the Moon.

 About Spacesuits & Rovers

 Illustration of Artemis astronauts working on the Moon. NASA

 Landing on the Moon

 Working with American companies to deliver science and technology to the Moon’s surface.
 The Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative allows rapid acquisition of lunar delivery services from commercial vendors to send NASA science and technology payloads, enabling industry growth and supporting long-term lunar exploration. The CLPS model offers a unique opportunity to test and refine technologies and integrate systems that will provide insight for future crewed missions to the Moon.

 About Commercial Lunar Payload Services

 Carrying a suite of NASA science and technology, Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost Mission 1 successfully landed at 3:34 a.m. EST on Sunday, March 2, 2025, near a volcanic feature called Mons Latreille within Mare Crisium, a more than 300-mile-wide basin located in the northeast quadrant of the Moon’s near side. Firefly Aerospace

 Deep Space Exploration

 Humanity’s first space station around the Moon.
 Gateway is central to the NASA-led Artemis missions to return to the Moon for scientific discovery and chart a path for the first human missions to Mars and beyond. The small space station will be a multi-purpose outpost supporting lunar surface missions, science in lunar orbit, and human exploration further into the cosmos.

 About Gateway

 Gateway’s HALO (Habitation and Logistics Outpost) at Northrop Grumman’s facility in Gilbert, Arizona, on April 4, 2025, shortly after its arrival from Thales Alenia Space in Turin, Italy. NASA/Josh Valcarcel

 A Lunar Economy

 Men and women across America and around the world are building the systems to support missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
 Since its inception, every state in America has made a contribution to the success of NASA’s Artemis campaign, with companies hard at work on innovations that will help establish a long-term human presence at the Moon. These missions are critical to an expanding space economy, fueling new industries and technologies, supporting job growth, and furthering the demand for a highly skilled workforce.

 About Artemis Partners

 NASA’s Artemis II Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft, secured to the mobile launcher, make the 4.2 mile journey toward Launch Pad 39B, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. NASA/Keegan Barber

 The Artemis Accords
 NASA, in coordination with the U.S. Department of State and seven other initial signatory nations, established the Artemis Accords in 2020. Now with more than 60 signatories, the Artemis Accords provide a common set of principles to enhance the governance of the civil exploration and use of outer space as many countries and private companies conduct missions and operations around the Moon.

 Civil Space Exploration about The Artemis Accords

 Learning Resources

 Join Artemis

 Find your place in space.

 Make, launch, compete and learn. Find your favorite way to be part of the Artemis mission.

 Start Exploring about Join Artemis

 Keep Exploring
 Discover More

 Humans In Space

 Destinations

 Astronauts

 Living in Space
