NASA Announces Crew, Mission of Next Artemis Launch in 2027

Published 06/09/26 at 11:35 p.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Portland, Oregon) – The cosmos could become a little smaller in about two years. (NASA photo)

NASA on Tuesday announced new details for Artemis III and named the four astronauts who will fly the 2027 test mission, a critical precursor to Artemis IV - the first planned crewed landing at the lunar South Pole in 2028.

The space agency also named the crewmembers who will take to orbit.

First, however, come a host of tests and flights that push the boundaries. 2027 will bring a series of complex demonstrations in low Earth orbit, including the first rendezvous and docking tests between Orion and prototype versions of commercial human landing systems being developed by Blue Origin and SpaceX. The mission will rely on a tightly sequenced, multi-launch campaign using the world’s most powerful rockets to validate hardware, software, propulsion, and communications systems needed for future lunar operations.

NASA assigned Randy Bresnik as commander, ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano as pilot, and NASA astronauts Andre Douglas and Frank Rubio as mission specialists. NASA astronaut Bob Hines was named backup. Training begins immediately on Orion systems and on the test landers now in development.

Watching spacecraft above Portland, Oregon (Oregon Coast Beach Connection).

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said the announcement marks “another bold step in humanity’s return to the Moon,” adding that Artemis III will showcase American innovation and international partnership as the agency prepares for deeper exploration. He said the mission will require unprecedented coordination across government and industry.

The assignment of Parmitano marks the first time an ESA astronaut has been placed on an Artemis crew. ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher said the decision highlights Europe’s growing role in the program and the importance of the European Service Module, which powers Orion.

What's the Progress of the Mission So Far?

Amazing moment from this year's Artemis mission (NASA)

NASA and its partners report steady moves toward the flight. Engineers will join Orion’s crew and service modules this summer and integrate the spacecraft’s docking system for its first flight. Heat-shield work continues, with individual blocks inspected and installed.

SLS processing is advancing as technicians connect the engine section to the core stage ahead of installing four RS-25 engines. All solid rocket booster segments have arrived at Kennedy Space Center, and mobile launcher refurbishment remains on schedule for stacking to begin this summer. NASA also is fabricating a spacer that will replace the upper stage for Artemis III. Astronomy News, Updates from Oregon Coast, Washington Coast

Blue Origin and SpaceX continue building test articles of their crewed lunar landers, with NASA providing hands-on support throughout design and development.

Photo of satellite over Cape Kiwanda courtesy Pillar French. Across the Oregon coast and Washington coast, clear night skies will be prime for spotting all sorts of spacecraft this summer. See Now Begins the 'Season of Satellites' Above Oregon, Washington: Summer's Surreal Show - Not even counting meteors, these can create wild colors and streaks

The agency said Artemis III will help increase mission cadence, strengthen production pipelines, and improve supply chains across the program. The flight builds on the successful Artemis II mission completed in April that captivated the entire planet - and will support long-term plans to send astronauts to Mars.

All this starts with the launch of Blue Origin’s lander pathfinder, designed to remain in orbit for several weeks. NASA will then launch the Artemis III crew aboard Orion on the SLS to low Earth orbit, where they will rendezvous and dock with the Blue Origin test article for about two days of checkouts and demonstrations, including entering the lander.

After undocking, Orion will wait for SpaceX’s Starship pathfinder to launch and meet the crew in orbit. The vehicles will remain docked for roughly a day of testing before Orion departs for Earth. The capsule will splash down in the Pacific, where NASA and the U.S. Navy will recover the crew.

The mission is expected to last about two weeks, with final duration determined in real time based on launch timing and docked operations.

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