In an update shared October 23, 2026, NASA said it was pursuing two options for the Space Launch System’s (SLS) upper stage on Artemis IV: the interim cryogenic propulsion stage and a stretched United Launch Alliance (ULA) Centaur V. NASA’s March plan had described replacing the interim stage. The agency targets Artemis III for a crewed orbital test in 2027 and Artemis IV for a lunar landing in 2028. NASA’s October update, published November 4, sets out the newer approach.
The missions have different jobs: Artemis III is planned to test Orion’s docking operations in Earth orbit, while Artemis IV is NASA’s target for a lunar landing.
NASA’s Artemis IV upper-stage plan has changed
NASA’s March 3, 2026 account described replacing the interim cryogenic propulsion stage with a new second stage. In its October 23 update, the agency said it was pursuing the interim stage and a stretched Centaur V as options for Artemis IV.
| NASA planning account | Artemis IV SLS upper-stage approach |
| March 3, 2026 | Replace the interim cryogenic propulsion stage with a new second stage, as described in NASA’s March account. |
| October 23, 2026 update, published November 4 | Pursue the interim cryogenic propulsion stage and a stretched ULA Centaur V as options, according to NASA’s update. |
NASA says pursuing both options is intended to preserve flexibility and avoid dependence on a single choice.
Artemis III is a 2027 orbital docking test
NASA plans Artemis III as a 14-day mission in low Earth orbit with four astronauts aboard Orion, launched by SLS. The sequence starts with Blue Origin launching a Blue Moon test article, followed by the Orion crew’s launch. Orion would dock with Blue Moon, undock, and then dock with a SpaceX Starship Version 3 test article. NASA describes the mission as an orbital test, not a lunar landing. (NASA’s mission plan)
For background, NeoTeo has also covered what Artemis III is planned to test.
Artemis IV targets a lunar landing in 2028
NASA targets Artemis IV as a lunar-landing mission in 2028. Its account describes two commercial lander approaches under development. SpaceX’s Starship plan involves refueling in Earth orbit before meeting Orion for the journey toward the Moon. Blue Origin’s approach uses transfer stages to send Blue Moon Mark 2 toward the Moon; the lander would meet Orion in closer lunar orbit before descending.
The Sortie suit is planned for early moonwalks
NASA and Axiom Space plan a second suit design, called the Sortie suit, for early moonwalks. NASA says it will weigh roughly half as much as Axiom’s larger primary suit. The primary suit remains intended for longer, more demanding missions. (NASA’s update)
NASA reports Artemis III hardware progress
NASA reports that Artemis III processing timelines have been reduced by about half. The agency also says it redesigned, built, and tested a fuel-line component in-house in five months, at roughly one-tenth of an earlier outside-vendor estimate. (NASA’s update)
