Chronicling Artemis
Our Complete Coverage of NASA's Lunar Program
Program Timeline
Inception
The Trump administration announces U.S. astronauts will return to the lunar surface by 2024. The program is later named Artemis after the Greek goddess of the moon who was Apollo’s twin.
READ MORE: Here’s how NASA plans to pull off its 2024 moon landing
Artemis I
An unoccupied Orion capsule loops around the moon, the design’s first journey to deep space.
READ MORE: Riding along on Artemis I, virtually
Shifting plans
NASA announces it will convert the Artemis III lunar landing into a crewed demonstration in low-Earth orbit, in which an Orion will practice docking with the commercial landers in development. The first lunar surface landing will be moved to Artemis IV.
READ MORE: NASA rethinks Artemis path forward, accelerating launch cadence
Artemis II
Four astronauts fly around the moon in an Orion, the first crewed lunar mission in over 50 years.
READ MORE: NASA’s Artemis II moon mission will put these technologies to the test
Artemis III
An Orion is slated to carry four astronauts to low-Earth orbit for rendezvous and docking with a Starship lander and/or a Blue Moon.
READ MORE: NASA and contractors accelerate Artemis III hardware to meet new schedule
Artemis IV
Two astronauts are planned to touch down near the lunar south pole, becoming the first humans to walk on the lunar surface since 1972.
Artemis V
NASA expects to begin a yearly cadence of crewed lunar surface missions.
U.S. moon base
NASA wants to establish the initial elements of a lunar base for long-duration surface operations.
READ MORE: NASA details plan to establish lunar surface base by 2030
Mission
Artemis III
Mission
Artemis II
Mission
Artemis I
More from the archives
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NASA chief: Artemis moon landing is litmus test for ‘American exceptionalism’
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Comparing the Artemis moon buggy contenders
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Lunar limbo: the possible paths ahead for Artemis
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Taking Artemis’ measure
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Tomorrow’s spacesuits
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Live from the moon in HD
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The choice
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NASA’s lunar lander choices reflect unsettled questions about best approach
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Artemis must learn from Apollo
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NASA chief pledges to remember Mars while shooting for moon
SLS rocket
Multiple launches are required, one for the crew and at least one for the lander.
Orion crew capsule
Once in lunar orbit, these spacecraft would rendezvous and dock with the lander.
Blue Moon and Starship landers
NASA has contracted SpaceX for the Artemis IV lander and Blue Origin for Artemis V.
Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU)
The crew will don these for surface excursions.
Lunar Terrain Vehicle
NASA has contracted AstroLab and Lunar Outpost for the first phase of lunar buggies, enabling astronauts to traverse longer distances.