Looking Ahead to Artemis III
NASA’s longer-term plans focus on Artemis III, the mission intended to return astronauts to the lunar surface. That mission is currently expected no earlier than mid-2027. Officials have acknowledged technical challenges that could affect its scope, including heat shield refinements on Orion and delays related to the lunar lander system.
If needed, Artemis III could shift from a surface landing to a crewed mission involving the Lunar Gateway, a planned space station orbiting the Moon. The Gateway would support future lunar exploration as a science platform, communications hub, and staging point for missions deeper into space.
For now, the focus remains on Artemis II. If the wet dress rehearsal proceeds as planned, NASA will move closer to a launch that would send humans back toward the Moon and set the stage for a new era of lunar exploration.
Read more about Artemis II on USA Herald, including how NASA delayed the Moon mission due to extreme cold, rocket test updates after the rare Florida cold snap, and the preparations as the first crewed Moon mission in 50 years nears launch.
