Artemis: Returning Humanity to the Moon
NASA's Artemis program represents humanity's next giant leap -- a bold campaign to land the first woman and first person of color on the Moon, build a sustainable lunar presence, and prepare for crewed missions to Mars.
Mission Timeline
From the first uncrewed test flight to sustained lunar presence, each Artemis mission builds toward a permanent human foothold beyond Earth.
Artemis I
Uncrewed test flight of SLS and Orion. Successfully orbited the Moon and returned to Earth, splashing down in the Pacific Ocean. Orion traveled 1.4 million miles.
Key Milestones
- First SLS launch
- Orion heat shield tested at 5,000°F
- Farthest distance for a human-rated spacecraft (268,563 miles)
Artemis II
First crewed Artemis mission. Four astronauts will fly around the Moon and return to Earth. First humans beyond LEO since Apollo 17 in 1972. Christina Koch will be the first woman on a lunar mission.
Key Milestones
- First crewed SLS/Orion flight
- First woman on a lunar mission
- First Canadian on a lunar mission
- Highest altitude for crewed spacecraft since Apollo
Artemis III
First crewed lunar landing since 1972. Two astronauts will descend to the lunar south pole using SpaceX Starship Human Landing System while two remain in Orion. Surface stay of approximately 6.5 days.
Key Milestones
- First crewed Moon landing in 50+ years
- First woman on the lunar surface
- First person of color on the Moon
- SpaceX Starship used as lander
- Lunar south pole exploration
Artemis IV
First mission to the Lunar Gateway station. Crew will dock with Gateway, then descend to the surface using Blue Origin's Blue Moon lander. Gateway enables longer surface stays and reusable landing systems.
Key Milestones
- First crew to Gateway station
- Blue Origin Blue Moon lander debut
- I-HAB module delivery
- Extended surface operations
Artemis V+
Sustained lunar presence with regular crew rotations through Gateway. Surface stays extending to weeks, lunar rover deployments, resource prospecting, and preparation for Mars missions.
Key Milestones
- Sustained lunar presence
- Pressurized rover deployment
- ISRU demonstrations
- International crew rotations
- Mars preparation activities
Key Vehicles & Infrastructure
The Artemis architecture combines NASA's most powerful rocket with next-generation spacecraft and an orbital outpost around the Moon.
Space Launch System (SLS)
Most powerful rocket in operation. Block 1: 95t to LEO. Block 1B: 105t. Launches Orion from Kennedy Space Center.
Orion Spacecraft
Built by Lockheed Martin with ESA Service Module. Carries 4 crew to lunar orbit and back. Heat shield rated for 5,000°F reentry.
Lunar Gateway
Small station in lunar orbit. PPE (power/propulsion) + HALO (habitation) modules launch together. Enables sustained surface access.
Starship HLS
SpaceX Starship variant modified for lunar landing. No heat shield, added landing legs and elevator. Requires orbital refueling.
Blue Moon MK2
Blue Origin crew lander for sustained operations. National Team includes Lockheed Martin, Draper, Boeing, Astrobotic.
Artemis Partner Companies
NASA partners with leading aerospace companies to build, launch, and operate the vehicles and systems that make Artemis possible.
SpaceX
Starship HLS (Artemis III lander), Falcon Heavy (Gateway launch)
Blue Origin
Blue Moon lander (Artemis V+), National Team lead
Lockheed Martin
Orion spacecraft prime contractor
Boeing
SLS core stage, Exploration Upper Stage
Northrop Grumman
SLS solid rocket boosters, Gateway HALO module
Maxar Technologies
Gateway PPE (Power and Propulsion Element)
Intuitive Machines
CLPS lunar deliveries, lunar terrain vehicle
Astrobotic
CLPS lunar deliveries, Griffin lander
Sierra Space
Dream Chaser logistics, potential Gateway support
Axiom Space
Next-generation spacesuit (AxEMU) for lunar surface EVA
The Artemis Accords
The Artemis Accords establish a practical set of principles to guide space exploration cooperation among nations participating in NASA's Artemis program. Grounded in the Outer Space Treaty of 1967, the Accords reinforce commitments to transparency, interoperability, peaceful exploration, and the responsible use of space resources.
Since their introduction in 2020, more than 40 nations have signed the Accords, making Artemis the broadest international space exploration coalition in history. Signatories include the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, Canada, Australia, Italy, South Korea, India, France, Germany, and dozens more.
international space coalition
in history
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Want the full deep dive?
Read our comprehensive Artemis Program Guide for detailed technical analysis, policy context, budget breakdowns, and expert commentary.