Artemis III becomes an orbital mission: Orion to dock with landers in 2027

NASA has shifted Artemis III away from a lunar landing: in 2027 the Orion capsule will test rendezvous and docking with commercial lander test articles from SpaceX and Blue Origin in Earth orbit. Project scientist Barbara Cohen said the crew will rehearse sample-return procedures and conduct science observations.

• Artemis III will fly in Earth orbit, not to the Moon
• SpaceX and Blue Origin will build the docking test articles
• Crew will deploy witness materials to track sample contamination
• Human lunar landing slips to 2028