NASA is preparing an orbital rehearsal during the Artemis III mission in 2027 to test prototype lunar landers from SpaceX and Blue Origin. The demonstration will allow crews and ground teams to practice complex rendezvous and docking maneuvers ahead of crewed landings planned for 2028.
The agency has partnered with both companies to develop human landing systems. Test versions of the landers will launch on commercial rockets while Artemis III astronauts travel separately aboard Orion on NASA's SLS rocket.
SpaceX will fly a Version 3 Starship test article equipped with a nose docking system. Blue Origin will test a crew cabin based on its Mark 2 architecture, including avionics and control systems. Up to two astronauts in orange suits may enter the Blue Origin vehicle during the mission.
Three powerful rockets are scheduled to launch in rapid succession. Blue Origin's lander is expected to reach orbit first and remain there for up to 30 days before Orion and the SpaceX vehicle follow.
"Artemis III will be a highly choreographed dance with a demanding launch sequence," said Jeremy Parsons, Artemis program manager. Steve Creech, Human Landing System program manager, noted that the tests aim to build confidence before crewed lunar operations.
