NASA's Artemis Lunar Landers Could Be Ready for Earth Orbit Test by Late 2027
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NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman told lawmakers that SpaceX and Blue Origin have stated their lunar landers could be ready for an Earth orbit test mission by late 2027. The Artemis III mission will not fly to the Moon but will rendezvous with a lander in orbit, a plan that may allow NASA to conserve a key rocket component for a future lunar landing attempt.
Facts First
- SpaceX and Blue Origin lunar landers could be ready for Earth orbit by late 2027, according to NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman.
- The Artemis III mission will not fly to the Moon but will rendezvous with a lander in Earth orbit.
- NASA is reviewing the flight plan, including orbit altitude and Space Launch System (SLS) rocket configuration.
- A low-Earth orbit test may allow NASA to avoid using an existing SLS upper stage, saving it for a later Moon landing mission.
- NASA is purchasing a new commercial upper stage, the Centaur V, from United Launch Alliance (ULA) for future SLS flights.
What Happened
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman told lawmakers on Monday that SpaceX and Blue Origin stated their spacecraft could be ready for the next Artemis mission in Earth orbit by late 2027. This timeline is later than NASA's previous schedule. The upcoming mission, Artemis III, will not fly to the Moon, but instead involves NASA launching an Orion capsule with astronauts to rendezvous and potentially dock with one or both landers in Earth orbit.
Why this Matters to You
This development may affect the timeline for a return of American astronauts to the Moon. The Artemis program is a major national investment in space exploration and scientific discovery. A successful orbital test of the lunar landers is a critical step toward a safe Moon landing, which could unlock new scientific research and technological advancements.
What's Next
The specific details of the Artemis III flight plan are currently under review. A mission to low-Earth orbit may allow NASA to avoid using an SLS upper stage that is already built and in storage, which could then be used for a subsequent Artemis mission to attempt a Moon landing. A launch into a higher orbit would require the use of that SLS upper stage but would allow NASA to conduct tests in an environment more similar to the Moon. NASA is also purchasing a new commercial upper stage, the Centaur V, from United Launch Alliance (ULA) to be paired with the SLS rocket after the existing upper stages have been used.