NASA's Artemis III to test lunar landers in Earth orbit in 2027

NASA's Artemis III mission, due to launch in summer 2027, will not go to the Moon. Four astronauts will fly to low Earth orbit to dock with prototype lunar landers built by Blue Origin and SpaceX. The 14-day mission, involving three launches and two dockings, paves the way for Artemis IV's planned 2028 Moon landing.