Updated February 2026: With NASA officially pushing the crewed lunar landing to no earlier than September 2028, track the latest Starship HLS milestones and SLS Block 1 progress. Explore the technical roadmap and critical flight tests required before Artemis III can return humanity to the Moon.
Artemis III Moon Landing Countdown
MISSION: FIRST WOMAN ON THE MOON
Current Target: September 2028 (Official NASA Schedule)
Artemis 3 Mission Tracker: The Definitive 2028 Roadmap
Humanity’s return to the lunar surface is the most complex engineering feat ever attempted. As of February 2026, following technical challenges with the Orion heat shield and the Starship Human Landing System (HLS), NASA has officially adjusted the Artemis III target to no earlier than September 2028.
This mission will not only mark the first time a woman and a person of color walk on the Moon but will also debut the first orbital propellant transfer—a "gas station in space" concept that is essential for deep space exploration.
The 2026 Status: Why the Timeline Shifted to 2028
The transition from Artemis II (now targeting March 2026) to Artemis III requires a massive technological leap. Several factors have contributed to the move to 2028:
- Starship HLS Readiness: SpaceX is currently preparing for its first integrated orbital refueling demonstration, now scheduled for June 2026. This is a "make or break" milestone.
- Axiom Spacesuits: The next-generation xEMU suits are undergoing final thermal vacuum testing to ensure they can survive the permanently shadowed regions (PSRs) of the lunar South Pole.
- Orion Heat Shield Data: Engineers are implementing design changes based on Artemis I data to ensure crew safety during the high-velocity skip-reentry from lunar distances.
The Role of SpaceX Starship HLS (Human Landing System)
Artemis III relies on a unique architecture where NASA's SLS rocket launches the crew, but SpaceX's Starship lands them.
The Orbital Refueling Challenge
To reach the Moon, the Starship HLS must be refueled in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). This requires approximately 10-12 "tanker" Starship launches.
- Propellant Depot: A specialized Starship remains in orbit as a storage tank.
- Tanker Flights: Multiple Starships launch to fill the depot.
- HLS Docking: The lunar lander docks with the depot to "fill up" before heading to the Moon.
Artemis Landing Sites: The Quest for Lunar Water
NASA has identified 13 candidate regions near the lunar South Pole. These sites are selected for their "Peaks of Eternal Light" (for solar power) and proximity to "Permanently Shadowed Regions" (for water ice).
Scientific Priorities
- Cryogenic Sampling: Collecting ice samples that have been frozen for billions of years.
- Deployment of the LTV: Setting the stage for the Lunar Terrain Vehicle, which will allow astronauts to explore kilometers away from the landing site.
| Target Date | Milestone | Mission Criticality |
|---|---|---|
| March 2026 | Artemis II Launch (Crewed Flyby) | High |
| June 2026 | Starship Orbital Propellant Transfer Demo | Critical |
| Late 2026 | Axiom Space Suit (xEMU) CDR Review | Medium |
| June 2027 | Starship HLS Uncrewed Lunar Landing | Mandatory |
| Sept 2028 | Artemis III Crewed Lunar Landing | Final Goal |
*Data updated as of February 2026 based on NASA's Agency Mission Planning Cycle.
NASA is officially targeting September 2028. This follows the February 2026 announcement of further delays to ensure the Starship HLS and Axiom spacesuits are fully qualified.
The primary reasons are the complexity of orbital refueling for Starship, the need for an uncrewed lunar landing demo (now set for June 2027), and final adjustments to the Orion heat shield.
While the specific names will be announced after Artemis II completes its mission, NASA has committed that the Artemis III landing party will include the first woman and the first person of color to walk on the lunar surface.
No. To simplify the first landing, Artemis III will involve a direct docking between Orion and Starship HLS in lunar orbit. The Lunar Gateway will be utilized starting with Artemis IV in 2028/2029.
NASA requires SpaceX to prove that Starship can land safely on the rugged lunar South Pole without humans on board before risking a crewed mission. This test is currently slated for June 2027.
It is a multi-launch mission. One SLS launch for the crew in Orion, and upwards of 10-15 SpaceX Starship launches to provide the necessary fuel for the HLS lander.