NASA Maps Three Rocket Sequence for Artemis III Lander Trials

NASA has detailed a complex orbital test that will require three separate heavy lift rockets to launch from Florida. The agency presented the operations plan on Oct. 23 at Kennedy Space Center. The goal is to qualify commercial moon landers before astronauts attempt a lunar touchdown. Program manager Jeremy Parsons described the campaign as likely the most complicated launch sequence ever undertaken.

The plan calls for three distinct vehicles to launch in sequence. Blue Origin’s New Glenn will fly first, carrying the Blue Moon lander into low Earth orbit. NASA’s Space Launch System will launch second, placing the crewed Orion spacecraft into a highly elliptical orbit. SpaceX’s Starship will launch third, equipped with a special docking adapter for a later encounter.

The crew consists of four astronauts. Three are from NASA: Randy Bresnik, Andre Douglas, and Frank Rubio. The fourth is Luca Parmitano from the European Space Agency. After launch, Orion will adjust its orbit to approximately 345 miles altitude. Parsons noted this adjustment is necessary for thermal stability because the capsule was built for deep space.

The crew will spend two days inspecting Orion systems. On Flight Day 3, they will dock with the Blue Moon lander at an altitude of 273 miles. The two spacecraft will remain docked for two days. During this time, the crew will open the hatch and enter the lander. They will test environmental controls, life support, and emergency scenarios. Mission Control will also conduct dual vehicle control tests.

Starship is scheduled to launch around Flight Day 6. It will meet Orion on Flight Day 8 at an altitude of 237 miles. This encounter will last only about two hours. The crew will not enter the Starship vehicle. Parsons stated the test will provide data on docking forces and how the vehicles interact. After undocking, Orion will continue in orbit for six to nine more days before splashing down in the ocean.

The nominal mission length is 14 days, though it could extend to 17 days. The crew will evaluate survival suits, a task missed during the Artemis II flyby in April. They will also perform health assessments and technology demonstrations. The data collected will help prepare for Artemis IV, which is planned to land astronauts near the moon’s south pole in 2028. That mission would be the first crewed lunar landing since Apollo 17 in 1972.

NASA has not decided which lander will fly the 2028 mission. Administrator Jared Isaacman said the agency is keeping options open for both partners. He added that NASA has no intention of surrendering a viable path to the surface before data and schedules require a choice. Both Blue Origin and SpaceX are planning lunar landing missions for 2028. The launch date for Artemis III remains uncertain, with NASA targeting summer next year despite a reported 90-day schedule delay.