NASA and Commercial Partners Refine Lunar Landers for 2028 Crewed Return
NASA says Blue Origin and SpaceX have simplified their crewed lunar lander designs and revised their operating plans. Artemis III is now set to demonstrate rendezvous and docking in low Earth orbit in 2027 using test landers and Orion, while the companies also develop crew and cargo versions for later Artemis flights. The agency's goal is to put astronauts back on the Moon in 2028 and build toward a lunar base.
NASA has recast Artemis III as an Earth-orbit trial of spacecraft meeting and linking, pairing Orion with test landers from Blue Origin and SpaceX in 2027. The firms are separately advancing crew and cargo lander variants for later Artemis flights, while each must complete a no-crew trial and receive NASA sign-off before astronauts fly.
For SpaceX, several tanker Starships would load a depot in low Earth orbit, which then fuels the lander. Under the revised plan, Orion and Starship would link in Earth orbit; Starship would then propel the joined stack toward low lunar orbit, with NASA examining Orion modifications to permit that push.
The revised timeline could affect aerospace workers, suppliers, and communities near launch and testing sites through shifting schedules and demand. It may also shape public expectations about lunar exploration and inspire students in science and engineering. If the demonstrations succeed, more frequent commercial lunar activity could follow; delays, however, may raise questions about cost and readiness.