In a move that reshapes the roadmap back to the lunar surface, NASA Changes Artemis Moon Mission, inserting a new chapter into its ambitious return-to-the-Moon campaign before astronauts set foot on lunar soil for the first time in nearly 50 years.
The U.S. space agency announced it will add an additional mission to its Artemis program — a calculated pause that officials say will sharpen the tools needed for a safe and successful landing.
A New Orbit Before the Moon
Under the original blueprint, Artemis II was slated to carry astronauts on a flyby around the Moon, currently targeted for April, followed by a crewed lunar landing with Artemis III in 2028.
But that timeline has shifted.
Instead of attempting a landing, Artemis III will now remain closer to Earth. In 2027, a crew will travel to low-Earth orbit to rehearse a critical maneuver: docking with a lunar lander. The rehearsal is designed to stress-test the choreography of spaceflight before the real lunar descent.
NASA officials emphasized that the added mission will not derail their target of 2028 for lunar landings. The agency still aims to conduct one — or possibly two — Moon landings through Artemis IV and V that year.
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman told reporters that the extra mission reflects a desire to avoid lengthy gaps between launches. He said the additional low-Earth orbit flight will serve as a proving ground for technologies essential to a Moon landing.
