NASA shifts Artemis 3 lunar landing to Artemis 4 in 2028
Updated
Updated · Space.com · May 5
NASA shifts Artemis 3 lunar landing to Artemis 4 in 2028
11 articles · Updated · Space.com · May 5
Artemis 3 is now planned as a late-2027 Earth-orbit Orion rendezvous with SpaceX and/or Blue Origin landers, after Artemis 2's circumlunar mission.
NASA says the test will check docking and interoperability before a 2028 landing attempt, with Jared Isaacman saying both companies told the agency they aim to meet that schedule.
The change increases pressure on SpaceX to prove orbital refuelling and on Blue Origin to recover from New Glenn's grounding, as whichever lander is ready could fly Artemis 4.
With both Moon landers behind schedule, is NASA’s commercial 'race' compromising astronaut safety by rushing critical development and testing?
Elon Musk now champions a lunar city, but experts call the Moon a dead end. Is his new vision a strategic pivot or IPO propaganda?
Artemis III Reimagined: Prioritizing Safety with 2027 Earth Orbit Validation Before 2028 Lunar Landing
Overview
In February 2026, NASA redefined the Artemis III mission, postponing its crewed lunar landing from 2027 and transforming it into an Earth-orbit test flight scheduled for 2027. This shift was driven by technical challenges with the Space Launch System and commercial lunar landers, along with safety concerns raised by advisory panels. Artemis III will focus on testing critical systems like rendezvous and docking with SpaceX and Blue Origin landers, integrated life support and propulsion, and new spacesuits in microgravity. This careful validation aims to reduce risks and enable a safe crewed lunar landing on Artemis IV in 2028, supporting NASA’s phased strategy for sustainable lunar exploration and accelerated mission cadence.