NASA’s October 23, 2026 update plans Artemis III as a crewed, 14-day test in low Earth orbit in 2027. Four astronauts will rehearse operations with lunar-lander test vehicles; the mission is not a Moon landing. NASA targets Artemis IV for the first crewed lunar landing in 2028.
What Artemis III will test in Earth orbit
Low Earth orbit is the region relatively close to Earth where NASA plans to test how Orion and the lander vehicles operate together. The planned sequence starts with Blue Origin’s Blue Moon Mark 2 test article, followed by Orion aboard the Space Launch System (SLS), then SpaceX’s Starship Version 3 test article.
NASA plans for the four-person crew, Randy Bresnik, Frank Rubio, Andre Douglas and Luca Parmitano, to enter the Blue Moon test article for about two days. They will evaluate its cabin environment, controls, atmosphere, pressure and life-support systems. During the separate Starship docking test, which could last up to two hours, the astronauts will remain aboard Orion rather than enter Starship.
How the reported Artemis IV concepts differ
NASA’s October 23 briefing outlined different routes for SpaceX’s Starship and Blue Origin’s Blue Moon. The concepts differ in where Orion meets the lander and how the vehicles get the propellant needed for the trip.
| Provider | Artemis III test | Artemis IV concept described | Orion rendezvous | Propellant approach |
| SpaceX | Starship Version 3 docks with Orion in low Earth orbit; the crew stays aboard Orion. | Starship would carry two of Orion’s four astronauts for the lunar landing. | Orion and Starship would meet in high Earth orbit after Starship is fueled in low Earth orbit. | The plan involves transferring propellant to Starship in low Earth orbit. |
| Blue Origin | The crew would enter the Blue Moon Mark 2 test article for about two days of evaluation. | Three transfer stages would help send Blue Moon Mark 2 toward the Moon. | The described concept uses an elliptical rendezvous about 8,500 km above the lunar surface; NASA is also studying a rendezvous in low lunar orbit. | The initial concept uses transfer stages and does not require spacecraft-to-spacecraft refueling. |
For SpaceX’s concept, NASA has not set a final number of tanker launches for Starship’s propellant transfer. The count depends on factors including the vehicle’s lift capacity, propellant boil-off and transfer performance, so estimates are not a settled operational requirement.
NASA had not selected a provider for the first crewed Artemis IV landing in the October 2026 update. Its reported approach is to use the lander that is ready first. NeoTeo’s earlier coverage of the Artemis IV landing target provides background on that mission; this update covers the planned Artemis III rehearsal and the routes now described for Orion and the landers.
Why NASA is working on an extended Centaur V
NASA is reported to be working with United Launch Alliance (ULA) on an extended Centaur V upper stage. Combined with the SLS core stage, it is intended to help Orion reach low lunar orbit. The work is part of the developing Artemis architecture, rather than a completed flight capability.
The distinction between the two missions is central to NASA’s schedule: Artemis III is the planned orbital test in 2027, while Artemis IV is the target for a crewed landing in 2028.
