NASA astronaut Andre Douglas, Artemis III mission specialist, is introduced during the Artemis III crew announcement event, Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

NASA astronaut Randy Bresnik, Artemis III commander, is introduced during the Artemis III crew announcement event, Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

NASA astronaut Frank Rubio, Artemis III mission specialist, is introduced during the Artemis III crew announcement event, Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Luca Parmitano, Artemis III pilot, is introduced during the Artemis III crew announcement event, Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman gives remarks during the Artemis III crew announcement event, Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman gives remarks during the Artemis III crew announcement event, Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

The flight design of Axiom Space's Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU) lunar spacesuit that NASA astronauts will wear during the Artemis III mission. Image Credit: Axiom Space

The flight design of Axiom Space's Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU) lunar spacesuit that NASA astronauts will wear during the Artemis III mission. Image Credit: Axiom Space

Technicians work on the Artemis III Orion crew module inside the Operations and Checkout Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on March 5, 2025.

Teams prepare for the installation of the engine nozzle onto the European Service Module for NASA’s Artemis III mission on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026, inside the high bay of the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The service module provides the Orion spacecraft’s propulsion, thermal control, electrical power, and life support systems during the Artemis III mission to send humans to explore the lunar South Pole region.

Teams prepare for the installation of the engine nozzle onto the European Service Module for NASA’s Artemis III mission on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026, inside the high bay of the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The service module provides the Orion spacecraft’s propulsion, thermal control, electrical power, and life support systems during the Artemis III mission to send humans to explore the lunar South Pole region.

An Artemis launch team member participates in the Artemis III terminal countdown simulation on Thursday, May 7, 2026, inside Firing Room 1 of the Rocco A. Petrone Launch Control Center at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This marked the first simulation the launch team performed ahead of Artemis III.

An Artemis launch team member participates in the Artemis III terminal countdown simulation on Thursday, May 7, 2026, inside Firing Room 1 of the Rocco A. Petrone Launch Control Center at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This marked the first simulation the launch team performed ahead of Artemis III.

An Artemis launch team member participates in the Artemis III terminal countdown simulation on Thursday, May 7, 2026, inside Firing Room 1 of the Rocco A. Petrone Launch Control Center at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This marked the first simulation the launch team performed ahead of Artemis III.

An Artemis launch team member participates in the Artemis III terminal countdown simulation on Thursday, May 7, 2026, inside Firing Room 1 of the Rocco A. Petrone Launch Control Center at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This marked the first simulation the launch team performed ahead of Artemis III.

Maria Zapata, test conductor, participates in the Artemis III terminal countdown simulation on Thursday, May 7, 2026, inside Firing Room 1 of the Rocco A. Petrone Launch Control Center at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This marked the first simulation the launch team performed ahead of Artemis III.

Maria Zapata, test conductor, participates in the Artemis III terminal countdown simulation on Thursday, May 7, 2026, inside Firing Room 1 of the Rocco A. Petrone Launch Control Center at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This marked the first simulation the launch team performed ahead of Artemis III.

Sierra Sewdass, test conductor, participates in the Artemis III terminal countdown simulation on Thursday, May 7, 2026, inside Firing Room 1 of the Rocco A. Petrone Launch Control Center at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This marked the first simulation the launch team performed ahead of Artemis III.

Artemis III crew members NASA astronaut Randy Bresnik, commander; ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Luca Parmitano, pilot; and NASA astronauts Frank Rubio, mission specialist, and Andre Douglas, mission specialist, are seen during the Artemis III crew announcement event, Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

Artemis III crew members NASA astronaut Randy Bresnik, commander; ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Luca Parmitano, pilot; and NASA astronauts Frank Rubio, mission specialist, and Andre Douglas, mission specialist, are seen during the Artemis III crew announcement event, Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

A young space enthusiast dressed as an astronaut watches as Artemis III crew members NASA astronauts Bob Hines, backup crew member; Randy Bresnik, commander; Andre Douglas, mission specialist; ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Luca Parmitano, pilot; and NASA astronaut Frank Rubio, mission specialist, appear on stage following the Artemis III crew announcement event, Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

Artemis III crew members NASA astronaut Randy Bresnik, commander; ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Luca Parmitano, pilot; and NASA astronauts Frank Rubio, mission specialist, and Andre Douglas, mission specialist, are seen during the Artemis III crew announcement event, Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

The Orion spacecraft for NASA’s crewed Artemis II (right), Artemis III (left), and Artemis IV (center) missions are stationed next to each other inside the high bay of the Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on June 22, 2023. Each capsule is in a different stage of production as technicians and engineers prepare the spacecraft to carry astronauts to and around the Moon on their upcoming flights.

The Artemis III Orion service module in work inside the Operations and Checkout Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on March 5, 2025.

Technicians work on the Artemis III Orion crew module inside the Operations and Checkout Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on March 5, 2025.

The Orion spacecraft for the Artemis III mission is in view inside a clean room in the high bay of the Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on June 22, 2023. The Orion spacecraft is being prepared for its launch atop the Space Launch System rocket on Artemis III, which will send astronauts, including the first woman and first person of color, on a mission to the surface of the Moon.

The Orion spacecraft for the Artemis III mission is in view in the high bay of the Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on June 22, 2023. The Orion spacecraft is being prepared for its launch atop the Space Launch System rocket on Artemis III, which will send astronauts, including the first woman and first person of color, on a mission to the surface of the Moon.

A protective wrapping is being removed from the Orion spacecraft for the Artemis III mission inside a clean room in the high bay of the Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on June 22, 2023. The Orion spacecraft is being prepared for its launch atop the Space Launch System rocket on Artemis III, which will send astronauts, including the first woman and first person of color, on a mission to the surface of the Moon.

These images capture the final booster motor segments for NASA’s Artemis III mission departing Northrop Grumman’s Railyard Shipping Facility in Corinne, Utah, June 2. The eight segments will form the twin five-segment solid rocket boosters for the agency’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket, providing more than 75% of the vehicle’s total thrust at liftoff. Due to their immense size and weight, the booster segments are transported in specialized carriers and are being hauled by Union Pacific Railroad’s newest commemorative locomotive, No. 4547. Marking its inaugural mission, the locomotive will deliver the flight hardware to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where stacking operations for Artemis III are set to begin later this year.

These images capture the final booster motor segments for NASA’s Artemis III mission departing Northrop Grumman’s Railyard Shipping Facility in Corinne, Utah, June 2. The eight segments will form the twin five-segment solid rocket boosters for the agency’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket, providing more than 75% of the vehicle’s total thrust at liftoff. Due to their immense size and weight, the booster segments are transported in specialized carriers and are being hauled by Union Pacific Railroad’s newest commemorative locomotive, No. 4547. Marking its inaugural mission, the locomotive will deliver the flight hardware to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where stacking operations for Artemis III are set to begin later this year.

These images capture the final booster motor segments for NASA’s Artemis III mission departing Northrop Grumman’s Railyard Shipping Facility in Corinne, Utah, June 2. The eight segments will form the twin five-segment solid rocket boosters for the agency’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket, providing more than 75% of the vehicle’s total thrust at liftoff. Due to their immense size and weight, the booster segments are transported in specialized carriers and are being hauled by Union Pacific Railroad’s newest commemorative locomotive, No. 4547. Marking its inaugural mission, the locomotive will deliver the flight hardware to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where stacking operations for Artemis III are set to begin later this year.

These images capture the final booster motor segments for NASA’s Artemis III mission departing Northrop Grumman’s Railyard Shipping Facility in Corinne, Utah, June 2. The eight segments will form the twin five-segment solid rocket boosters for the agency’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket, providing more than 75% of the vehicle’s total thrust at liftoff. Due to their immense size and weight, the booster segments are transported in specialized carriers and are being hauled by Union Pacific Railroad’s newest commemorative locomotive, No. 4547. Marking its inaugural mission, the locomotive will deliver the flight hardware to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where stacking operations for Artemis III are set to begin later this year.

These images capture the final booster motor segments for NASA’s Artemis III mission departing Northrop Grumman’s Railyard Shipping Facility in Corinne, Utah, June 2. The eight segments will form the twin five-segment solid rocket boosters for the agency’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket, providing more than 75% of the vehicle’s total thrust at liftoff. Due to their immense size and weight, the booster segments are transported in specialized carriers and are being hauled by Union Pacific Railroad’s newest commemorative locomotive, No. 4547. Marking its inaugural mission, the locomotive will deliver the flight hardware to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where stacking operations for Artemis III are set to begin later this year.

These images capture the final booster motor segments for NASA’s Artemis III mission departing Northrop Grumman’s Railyard Shipping Facility in Corinne, Utah, June 2. The eight segments will form the twin five-segment solid rocket boosters for the agency’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket, providing more than 75% of the vehicle’s total thrust at liftoff. Due to their immense size and weight, the booster segments are transported in specialized carriers and are being hauled by Union Pacific Railroad’s newest commemorative locomotive, No. 4547. Marking its inaugural mission, the locomotive will deliver the flight hardware to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where stacking operations for Artemis III are set to begin later this year.

These images capture the final booster motor segments for NASA’s Artemis III mission departing Northrop Grumman’s Railyard Shipping Facility in Corinne, Utah, June 2. The eight segments will form the twin five-segment solid rocket boosters for the agency’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket, providing more than 75% of the vehicle’s total thrust at liftoff. Due to their immense size and weight, the booster segments are transported in specialized carriers and are being hauled by Union Pacific Railroad’s newest commemorative locomotive, No. 4547. Marking its inaugural mission, the locomotive will deliver the flight hardware to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where stacking operations for Artemis III are set to begin later this year.

These images capture the final booster motor segments for NASA’s Artemis III mission departing Northrop Grumman’s Railyard Shipping Facility in Corinne, Utah, June 2. The eight segments will form the twin five-segment solid rocket boosters for the agency’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket, providing more than 75% of the vehicle’s total thrust at liftoff. Due to their immense size and weight, the booster segments are transported in specialized carriers and are being hauled by Union Pacific Railroad’s newest commemorative locomotive, No. 4547. Marking its inaugural mission, the locomotive will deliver the flight hardware to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where stacking operations for Artemis III are set to begin later this year.

These images capture the final booster motor segments for NASA’s Artemis III mission departing Northrop Grumman’s Railyard Shipping Facility in Corinne, Utah, June 2. The eight segments will form the twin five-segment solid rocket boosters for the agency’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket, providing more than 75% of the vehicle’s total thrust at liftoff. Due to their immense size and weight, the booster segments are transported in specialized carriers and are being hauled by Union Pacific Railroad’s newest commemorative locomotive, No. 4547. Marking its inaugural mission, the locomotive will deliver the flight hardware to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where stacking operations for Artemis III are set to begin later this year.

These images capture the final booster motor segments for NASA’s Artemis III mission departing Northrop Grumman’s Railyard Shipping Facility in Corinne, Utah, June 2. The eight segments will form the twin five-segment solid rocket boosters for the agency’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket, providing more than 75% of the vehicle’s total thrust at liftoff. Due to their immense size and weight, the booster segments are transported in specialized carriers and are being hauled by Union Pacific Railroad’s newest commemorative locomotive, No. 4547. Marking its inaugural mission, the locomotive will deliver the flight hardware to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where stacking operations for Artemis III are set to begin later this year.

These images capture the final booster motor segments for NASA’s Artemis III mission departing Northrop Grumman’s Railyard Shipping Facility in Corinne, Utah, June 2. The eight segments will form the twin five-segment solid rocket boosters for the agency’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket, providing more than 75% of the vehicle’s total thrust at liftoff. Due to their immense size and weight, the booster segments are transported in specialized carriers and are being hauled by Union Pacific Railroad’s newest commemorative locomotive, No. 4547. Marking its inaugural mission, the locomotive will deliver the flight hardware to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where stacking operations for Artemis III are set to begin later this year.

These images capture the final booster motor segments for NASA’s Artemis III mission departing Northrop Grumman’s Railyard Shipping Facility in Corinne, Utah, June 2. The eight segments will form the twin five-segment solid rocket boosters for the agency’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket, providing more than 75% of the vehicle’s total thrust at liftoff. Due to their immense size and weight, the booster segments are transported in specialized carriers and are being hauled by Union Pacific Railroad’s newest commemorative locomotive, No. 4547. Marking its inaugural mission, the locomotive will deliver the flight hardware to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where stacking operations for Artemis III are set to begin later this year.

These images capture the final booster motor segments for NASA’s Artemis III mission departing Northrop Grumman’s Railyard Shipping Facility in Corinne, Utah, June 2. The eight segments will form the twin five-segment solid rocket boosters for the agency’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket, providing more than 75% of the vehicle’s total thrust at liftoff. Due to their immense size and weight, the booster segments are transported in specialized carriers and are being hauled by Union Pacific Railroad’s newest commemorative locomotive, No. 4547. Marking its inaugural mission, the locomotive will deliver the flight hardware to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where stacking operations for Artemis III are set to begin later this year.

These images capture the final booster motor segments for NASA’s Artemis III mission departing Northrop Grumman’s Railyard Shipping Facility in Corinne, Utah, June 2. The eight segments will form the twin five-segment solid rocket boosters for the agency’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket, providing more than 75% of the vehicle’s total thrust at liftoff. Due to their immense size and weight, the booster segments are transported in specialized carriers and are being hauled by Union Pacific Railroad’s newest commemorative locomotive, No. 4547. Marking its inaugural mission, the locomotive will deliver the flight hardware to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where stacking operations for Artemis III are set to begin later this year.

These images capture the final booster motor segments for NASA’s Artemis III mission departing Northrop Grumman’s Railyard Shipping Facility in Corinne, Utah, June 2. The eight segments will form the twin five-segment solid rocket boosters for the agency’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket, providing more than 75% of the vehicle’s total thrust at liftoff. Due to their immense size and weight, the booster segments are transported in specialized carriers and are being hauled by Union Pacific Railroad’s newest commemorative locomotive, No. 4547. Marking its inaugural mission, the locomotive will deliver the flight hardware to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where stacking operations for Artemis III are set to begin later this year.

These images capture the final booster motor segments for NASA’s Artemis III mission departing Northrop Grumman’s Railyard Shipping Facility in Corinne, Utah, June 2. The eight segments will form the twin five-segment solid rocket boosters for the agency’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket, providing more than 75% of the vehicle’s total thrust at liftoff. Due to their immense size and weight, the booster segments are transported in specialized carriers and are being hauled by Union Pacific Railroad’s newest commemorative locomotive, No. 4547. Marking its inaugural mission, the locomotive will deliver the flight hardware to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where stacking operations for Artemis III are set to begin later this year.

These images capture the final booster motor segments for NASA’s Artemis III mission departing Northrop Grumman’s Railyard Shipping Facility in Corinne, Utah, June 2. The eight segments will form the twin five-segment solid rocket boosters for the agency’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket, providing more than 75% of the vehicle’s total thrust at liftoff. Due to their immense size and weight, the booster segments are transported in specialized carriers and are being hauled by Union Pacific Railroad’s newest commemorative locomotive, No. 4547. Marking its inaugural mission, the locomotive will deliver the flight hardware to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where stacking operations for Artemis III are set to begin later this year.

These images capture the final booster motor segments for NASA’s Artemis III mission departing Northrop Grumman’s Railyard Shipping Facility in Corinne, Utah, June 2. The eight segments will form the twin five-segment solid rocket boosters for the agency’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket, providing more than 75% of the vehicle’s total thrust at liftoff. Due to their immense size and weight, the booster segments are transported in specialized carriers and are being hauled by Union Pacific Railroad’s newest commemorative locomotive, No. 4547. Marking its inaugural mission, the locomotive will deliver the flight hardware to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where stacking operations for Artemis III are set to begin later this year.

These images capture the final booster motor segments for NASA’s Artemis III mission departing Northrop Grumman’s Railyard Shipping Facility in Corinne, Utah, June 2. The eight segments will form the twin five-segment solid rocket boosters for the agency’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket, providing more than 75% of the vehicle’s total thrust at liftoff. Due to their immense size and weight, the booster segments are transported in specialized carriers and are being hauled by Union Pacific Railroad’s newest commemorative locomotive, No. 4547. Marking its inaugural mission, the locomotive will deliver the flight hardware to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where stacking operations for Artemis III are set to begin later this year.

These images capture the final booster motor segments for NASA’s Artemis III mission departing Northrop Grumman’s Railyard Shipping Facility in Corinne, Utah, June 2. The eight segments will form the twin five-segment solid rocket boosters for the agency’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket, providing more than 75% of the vehicle’s total thrust at liftoff. Due to their immense size and weight, the booster segments are transported in specialized carriers and are being hauled by Union Pacific Railroad’s newest commemorative locomotive, No. 4547. Marking its inaugural mission, the locomotive will deliver the flight hardware to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where stacking operations for Artemis III are set to begin later this year.

These images capture the final booster motor segments for NASA’s Artemis III mission departing Northrop Grumman’s Railyard Shipping Facility in Corinne, Utah, June 2. The eight segments will form the twin five-segment solid rocket boosters for the agency’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket, providing more than 75% of the vehicle’s total thrust at liftoff. Due to their immense size and weight, the booster segments are transported in specialized carriers and are being hauled by Union Pacific Railroad’s newest commemorative locomotive, No. 4547. Marking its inaugural mission, the locomotive will deliver the flight hardware to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where stacking operations for Artemis III are set to begin later this year.

Artemis III launch team members participate in a cryogenic propellant loading simulation on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, inside Firing Room 1 and 2 of the Rocco A. Petrone Launch Control Center at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Members of NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems team rehearse the steps to load the super-cooled liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen into the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket core stage, a process that starts several hours before liftoff for the Artemis III mission. Artemis III will carry out a series of objectives in low Earth orbit designed to demonstrate critical systems needed for future lunar landings, beginning with Artemis IV.

Artemis III launch team members participate in a cryogenic propellant loading simulation on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, inside Firing Room 1 and 2 of the Rocco A. Petrone Launch Control Center at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Members of NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems team rehearse the steps to load the super-cooled liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen into the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket core stage, a process that starts several hours before liftoff for the Artemis III mission. Artemis III will carry out a series of objectives in low Earth orbit designed to demonstrate critical systems needed for future lunar landings, beginning with Artemis IV.

Artemis III launch team members participate in a cryogenic propellant loading simulation on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, inside Firing Room 1 and 2 of the Rocco A. Petrone Launch Control Center at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Members of NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems team rehearse the steps to load the super-cooled liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen into the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket core stage, a process that starts several hours before liftoff for the Artemis III mission. Artemis III will carry out a series of objectives in low Earth orbit designed to demonstrate critical systems needed for future lunar landings, beginning with Artemis IV.

From left to right, Dmitriy Bank, NASA test director, and Paul Sierpinski, Artemis assistant landing and recovery director, participate in the Artemis III terminal countdown simulation on Thursday, May 7, 2026, inside Firing Room 1 of the Rocco A. Petrone Launch Control Center at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This marked the first simulation the launch team performed ahead of Artemis III.

The solid rocket booster aft skirt segments for NASA’s Artemis III SLS (Space Launch System) rocket arrive at a rail yard near the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Wednesday, April 8, 2026. Comprising the bottom of the rocket’s twin, five-segment solid rocket boosters, the aft skirt segments traveled by train in specialized transporters to the Florida spaceport and will be transferred from the rail yard to NASA Kennedy’s Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility for processing. The Artemis III mission will launch crew in the Orion spacecraft on top of the SLS rocket to test rendezvous and docking capabilities between Orion and commercial spacecraft needed to land astronauts on the Moon. 

The solid rocket booster aft skirt segments for NASA’s Artemis III SLS (Space Launch System) rocket arrive at a rail yard near the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Wednesday, April 8, 2026. Comprising the bottom of the rocket’s twin, five-segment solid rocket boosters, the aft skirt segments traveled by train in specialized transporters to the Florida spaceport and will be transferred from the rail yard to NASA Kennedy’s Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility for processing. The Artemis III mission will launch crew in the Orion spacecraft on top of the SLS rocket to test rendezvous and docking capabilities between Orion and commercial spacecraft needed to land astronauts on the Moon. 

The solid rocket booster aft skirt segments for NASA’s Artemis III SLS (Space Launch System) rocket arrive at a rail yard near the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Wednesday, April 8, 2026. Comprising the bottom of the rocket’s twin, five-segment solid rocket boosters, the aft skirt segments traveled by train in specialized transporters to the Florida spaceport and will be transferred from the rail yard to NASA Kennedy’s Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility for processing. The Artemis III mission will launch crew in the Orion spacecraft on top of the SLS rocket to test rendezvous and docking capabilities between Orion and commercial spacecraft needed to land astronauts on the Moon. 

The solid rocket booster aft skirt segments for NASA’s Artemis III SLS (Space Launch System) rocket arrive at a rail yard near the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Wednesday, April 8, 2026. Comprising the bottom of the rocket’s twin, five-segment solid rocket boosters, the aft skirt segments traveled by train in specialized transporters to the Florida spaceport and will be transferred from the rail yard to NASA Kennedy’s Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility for processing. The Artemis III mission will launch crew in the Orion spacecraft on top of the SLS rocket to test rendezvous and docking capabilities between Orion and commercial spacecraft needed to land astronauts on the Moon. 

The solid rocket booster aft skirt segments for NASA’s Artemis III SLS (Space Launch System) rocket arrive at a rail yard near the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Wednesday, April 8, 2026. Comprising the bottom of the rocket’s twin, five-segment solid rocket boosters, the aft skirt segments traveled by train in specialized transporters to the Florida spaceport and will be transferred from the rail yard to NASA Kennedy’s Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility for processing. The Artemis III mission will launch crew in the Orion spacecraft on top of the SLS rocket to test rendezvous and docking capabilities between Orion and commercial spacecraft needed to land astronauts on the Moon. 

The solid rocket booster aft skirt segments for NASA’s Artemis III SLS (Space Launch System) rocket arrive at a rail yard near the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Wednesday, April 8, 2026. Comprising the bottom of the rocket’s twin, five-segment solid rocket boosters, the aft skirt segments traveled by train in specialized transporters to the Florida spaceport and will be transferred from the rail yard to NASA Kennedy’s Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility for processing. The Artemis III mission will launch crew in the Orion spacecraft on top of the SLS rocket to test rendezvous and docking capabilities between Orion and commercial spacecraft needed to land astronauts on the Moon. 

The solid rocket booster aft skirt segments for NASA’s Artemis III SLS (Space Launch System) rocket arrive at a rail yard near the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Wednesday, April 8, 2026. Comprising the bottom of the rocket’s twin, five-segment solid rocket boosters, the aft skirt segments traveled by train in specialized transporters to the Florida spaceport and will be transferred from the rail yard to NASA Kennedy’s Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility for processing. The Artemis III mission will launch crew in the Orion spacecraft on top of the SLS rocket to test rendezvous and docking capabilities between Orion and commercial spacecraft needed to land astronauts on the Moon. 

The solid rocket booster aft skirt segments for NASA’s Artemis III SLS (Space Launch System) rocket arrive at a rail yard near the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Wednesday, April 8, 2026. Comprising the bottom of the rocket’s twin, five-segment solid rocket boosters, the aft skirt segments traveled by train in specialized transporters to the Florida spaceport and will be transferred from the rail yard to NASA Kennedy’s Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility for processing. The Artemis III mission will launch crew in the Orion spacecraft on top of the SLS rocket to test rendezvous and docking capabilities between Orion and commercial spacecraft needed to land astronauts on the Moon. 

Eight of the 10 solid rocket booster motor segments for NASA’s Artemis III SLS (Space Launch System) rocket arrive at a rail yard near the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Monday, June 8, 2026. The solid rocket boosters traveled by train in specialized transporters to the Florida spaceport and will be transferred from the rail yard to NASA Kennedy’s Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility for processing. The Artemis III mission will launch crew in the Orion spacecraft on top of the SLS rocket to test rendezvous and docking capabilities between Orion and commercial spacecraft needed to land astronauts on the Moon.

Eight of the 10 solid rocket booster motor segments for NASA’s Artemis III SLS (Space Launch System) rocket arrive at a rail yard near the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Monday, June 8, 2026. The solid rocket boosters traveled by train in specialized transporters to the Florida spaceport and will be transferred from the rail yard to NASA Kennedy’s Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility for processing. The Artemis III mission will launch crew in the Orion spacecraft on top of the SLS rocket to test rendezvous and docking capabilities between Orion and commercial spacecraft needed to land astronauts on the Moon.

Eight of the 10 solid rocket booster motor segments for NASA’s Artemis III SLS (Space Launch System) rocket arrive at a rail yard near the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Monday, June 8, 2026. The solid rocket boosters traveled by train in specialized transporters to the Florida spaceport and will be transferred from the rail yard to NASA Kennedy’s Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility for processing. The Artemis III mission will launch crew in the Orion spacecraft on top of the SLS rocket to test rendezvous and docking capabilities between Orion and commercial spacecraft needed to land astronauts on the Moon.

Eight of the 10 solid rocket booster motor segments for NASA’s Artemis III SLS (Space Launch System) rocket arrive at a rail yard near the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Monday, June 8, 2026. The solid rocket boosters traveled by train in specialized transporters to the Florida spaceport and will be transferred from the rail yard to NASA Kennedy’s Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility for processing. The Artemis III mission will launch crew in the Orion spacecraft on top of the SLS rocket to test rendezvous and docking capabilities between Orion and commercial spacecraft needed to land astronauts on the Moon.

Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, launch director, Exploration Ground Systems Program, participates in the Artemis III terminal countdown simulation on Thursday, May 7, 2026, inside Firing Room 1 of the Rocco A. Petrone Launch Control Center at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This marked the first simulation the launch team performed ahead of Artemis III.

Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, launch director, Exploration Ground Systems Program, participates in the Artemis III terminal countdown simulation on Thursday, May 7, 2026, inside Firing Room 1 of the Rocco A. Petrone Launch Control Center at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This marked the first simulation the launch team performed ahead of Artemis III.

Jeremy Graeber, assistant launch director, Exploration Ground Systems Program, participates in the Artemis III terminal countdown simulation on Thursday, May 7, 2026, inside Firing Room 1 of the Rocco A. Petrone Launch Control Center at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This marked the first simulation the launch team performed ahead of Artemis III.

Jeremy Graeber, assistant launch director, Exploration Ground Systems Program, participates in the Artemis III terminal countdown simulation on Thursday, May 7, 2026, inside Firing Room 1 of the Rocco A. Petrone Launch Control Center at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This marked the first simulation the launch team performed ahead of Artemis III.

Jeff Spaulding, senior NASA test director, Exploration Ground Systems Program, participates in the Artemis III terminal countdown simulation on Thursday, May 7, 2026, inside Firing Room 1 of the Rocco A. Petrone Launch Control Center at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This marked the first simulation the launch team performed ahead of Artemis III.

Vanessa Stroh, project engineer, Exploration Ground Systems Program, participates in the Artemis III terminal countdown simulation on Thursday, May 7, 2026, inside Firing Room 1 of the Rocco A. Petrone Launch Control Center at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This marked the first simulation the launch team performed ahead of Artemis III.

Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, Artemis launch director, participates in a cryogenic propellant loading simulation for NASA’s Artemis III mission on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, inside Firing Room 1 of the Rocco A. Petrone Launch Control Center at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Members of NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems team rehearse the steps to load the super-cooled liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen into the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket core stage, a process that starts several hours before liftoff for the Artemis III mission. Artemis III will carry out a series of objectives in low Earth orbit designed to demonstrate critical systems needed for future lunar landings, beginning with Artemis IV.

Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, Artemis launch director, participates in a cryogenic propellant loading simulation for NASA’s Artemis III mission on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, inside Firing Room 1 of the Rocco A. Petrone Launch Control Center at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Members of NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems team rehearse the steps to load the super-cooled liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen into the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket core stage, a process that starts several hours before liftoff for the Artemis III mission. Artemis III will carry out a series of objectives in low Earth orbit designed to demonstrate critical systems needed for future lunar landings, beginning with Artemis IV.

NASA’s Pegasus barge departs from NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans on April 21. The barge arrived at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on April 27 with the largest section of the core stage for the agency’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket that will launch the crewed Artemis III mission in 2027. Engineers will complete outfitting and vertical integration of the top four-fifths – the section containing the liquid hydrogen tank, liquid oxygen tank, intertank, and forward skirt – of the SLS core stage at NASA Kennedy. Next year’s Artemis III mission will launch astronauts to Earth’s orbit aboard the Orion spacecraft on top of SLS to test rendezvous and docking capabilities between Orion and commercial spacecraft needed to land Artemis IV astronauts on the Moon in 2028. NASA’s SLS is the only rocket capable of sending Orion, astronauts, and supplies to the Moon in a single launch. Image credit: NASA/Michael DeMocker

NASA’s Pegasus barge departs from NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans on April 21. The barge arrived at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on April 27 with the largest section of the core stage for the agency’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket that will launch the crewed Artemis III mission in 2027. Engineers will complete outfitting and vertical integration of the top four-fifths – the section containing the liquid hydrogen tank, liquid oxygen tank, intertank, and forward skirt – of the SLS core stage at NASA Kennedy. Next year’s Artemis III mission will launch astronauts to Earth’s orbit aboard the Orion spacecraft on top of SLS to test rendezvous and docking capabilities between Orion and commercial spacecraft needed to land Artemis IV astronauts on the Moon in 2028. NASA’s SLS is the only rocket capable of sending Orion, astronauts, and supplies to the Moon in a single launch. Image credit: NASA/Michael DeMocker

NASA’s Pegasus barge departs from NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans on April 21. The barge arrived at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on April 27 with the largest section of the core stage for the agency’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket that will launch the crewed Artemis III mission in 2027. Engineers will complete outfitting and vertical integration of the top four-fifths – the section containing the liquid hydrogen tank, liquid oxygen tank, intertank, and forward skirt – of the SLS core stage at NASA Kennedy. Next year’s Artemis III mission will launch astronauts to Earth’s orbit aboard the Orion spacecraft on top of SLS to test rendezvous and docking capabilities between Orion and commercial spacecraft needed to land Artemis IV astronauts on the Moon in 2028. NASA’s SLS is the only rocket capable of sending Orion, astronauts, and supplies to the Moon in a single launch. Image credit: NASA/Michael DeMocker

NASA’s Pegasus barge departs from NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans on April 21. The barge arrived at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on April 27 with the largest section of the core stage for the agency’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket that will launch the crewed Artemis III mission in 2027. Engineers will complete outfitting and vertical integration of the top four-fifths – the section containing the liquid hydrogen tank, liquid oxygen tank, intertank, and forward skirt – of the SLS core stage at NASA Kennedy. Next year’s Artemis III mission will launch astronauts to Earth’s orbit aboard the Orion spacecraft on top of SLS to test rendezvous and docking capabilities between Orion and commercial spacecraft needed to land Artemis IV astronauts on the Moon in 2028. NASA’s SLS is the only rocket capable of sending Orion, astronauts, and supplies to the Moon in a single launch. Image credit: NASA/Michael DeMocker

NASA’s Pegasus barge departs from NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans on April 21. The barge arrived at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on April 27 with the largest section of the core stage for the agency’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket that will launch the crewed Artemis III mission in 2027. Engineers will complete outfitting and vertical integration of the top four-fifths – the section containing the liquid hydrogen tank, liquid oxygen tank, intertank, and forward skirt – of the SLS core stage at NASA Kennedy. Next year’s Artemis III mission will launch astronauts to Earth’s orbit aboard the Orion spacecraft on top of SLS to test rendezvous and docking capabilities between Orion and commercial spacecraft needed to land Artemis IV astronauts on the Moon in 2028. NASA’s SLS is the only rocket capable of sending Orion, astronauts, and supplies to the Moon in a single launch. Image credit: NASA/Michael DeMocker

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, center, speaks with members of the prime and backup Artemis III crew, Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. The Artemis III crew consists of, from left to right, NASA astronauts Frank Rubio, mission specialist, and Randy Bresnik, commander; ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Luca Parmitano, pilot; and NASA astronauts Bob Hines, backup crew member, and Andre Douglas, mission specialist. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

Artemis III launch team members participate in a cryogenic propellant loading simulation on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, inside Firing Room 1 and 2 of the Rocco A. Petrone Launch Control Center at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Members of NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems team rehearse the steps to load the super-cooled liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen into the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket core stage, a process that starts several hours before liftoff for the Artemis III mission. Artemis III will carry out a series of objectives in low Earth orbit designed to demonstrate critical systems needed for future lunar landings, beginning with Artemis IV.

Aaron Sherman, launch project engineer, participates in a cryogenic propellant loading simulation for NASA’s Artemis III mission on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, inside Firing Room 1 of the Rocco A. Petrone Launch Control Center at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Members of NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems team rehearse the steps to load the super-cooled liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen into the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket core stage, a process that starts several hours before liftoff for the Artemis III mission. Artemis III will carry out a series of objectives in low Earth orbit designed to demonstrate critical systems needed for future lunar landings, beginning with Artemis IV.

Artemis launch team members are seen in Firing Room 1 of NASA Kennedy's Launch Control Center in Florida for an Artemis III cryogenic propellant loading simulation on Wednesday, May 6, 2026. This marked the first simulation the launch team performed ahead of Artemis III.

Joshua Jones, Artemis cryogenics manager, participates in the Artemis III cryogenic propellant loading launch simulation on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, inside Firing Room 1 of the Rocco A. Petrone Launch Control Center at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This marked the first simulation the launch team performed ahead of Artemis III.

Artemis launch team members are seen in Firing Room 1 of NASA Kennedy's Launch Control Center in Florida for an Artemis III cryogenic propellant loading simulation on Wednesday, May 6, 2026. This marked the first simulation the launch team performed ahead of Artemis III.

NASA’s Pegasus barge, carrying the top four-fifths of the agency’s SLS (Space Launch System) core stage for the Artemis III mission, arrives at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center Complex 39 turn basin wharf in Florida on Monday, April 27, 2026. Artemis III will launch astronauts to Earth’s orbit aboard the Orion spacecraft on top of SLS to test rendezvous and docking capabilities between Orion and commercial spacecraft needed to land Artemis IV astronauts on the Moon in 2028. 

NASA’s Pegasus barge, carrying the top four-fifths of the agency’s SLS (Space Launch System) core stage for the Artemis III mission, arrives at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center Complex 39 turn basin wharf in Florida on Monday, April 27, 2026. Artemis III will launch astronauts to Earth’s orbit aboard the Orion spacecraft on top of SLS to test rendezvous and docking capabilities between Orion and commercial spacecraft needed to land Artemis IV astronauts on the Moon in 2028. 

NASA’s Pegasus barge, carrying the top four-fifths of the agency’s SLS (Space Launch System) core stage for the Artemis III mission, arrives at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center Complex 39 turn basin wharf in Florida on Monday, April 27, 2026. Artemis III will launch astronauts to Earth’s orbit aboard the Orion spacecraft on top of SLS to test rendezvous and docking capabilities between Orion and commercial spacecraft needed to land Artemis IV astronauts on the Moon in 2028. 

NASA’s Pegasus barge, carrying the top four-fifths of the agency’s SLS (Space Launch System) core stage for the Artemis III mission, arrives at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center Complex 39 turn basin wharf in Florida on Monday, April 27, 2026. Artemis III will launch astronauts to Earth’s orbit aboard the Orion spacecraft on top of SLS to test rendezvous and docking capabilities between Orion and commercial spacecraft needed to land Artemis IV astronauts on the Moon in 2028. 

NASA’s Pegasus barge, carrying the top four-fifths of the agency’s SLS (Space Launch System) core stage for the Artemis III mission, arrives at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center Complex 39 turn basin wharf in Florida on Monday, April 27, 2026. Artemis III will launch astronauts to Earth’s orbit aboard the Orion spacecraft on top of SLS to test rendezvous and docking capabilities between Orion and commercial spacecraft needed to land Artemis IV astronauts on the Moon in 2028. 

NASA’s Pegasus barge, carrying the top four-fifths of the agency’s SLS (Space Launch System) core stage for the Artemis III mission, arrives at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center Complex 39 turn basin wharf in Florida on Monday, April 27, 2026. Artemis III will launch astronauts to Earth’s orbit aboard the Orion spacecraft on top of SLS to test rendezvous and docking capabilities between Orion and commercial spacecraft needed to land Artemis IV astronauts on the Moon in 2028. 

NASA’s Pegasus barge, carrying the top four-fifths of the agency’s SLS (Space Launch System) core stage for the Artemis III mission, arrives at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center Complex 39 turn basin wharf in Florida on Monday, April 27, 2026. Artemis III will launch astronauts to Earth’s orbit aboard the Orion spacecraft on top of SLS to test rendezvous and docking capabilities between Orion and commercial spacecraft needed to land Artemis IV astronauts on the Moon in 2028. 

NASA’s Pegasus barge, carrying the top four-fifths of the agency’s SLS (Space Launch System) core stage for the Artemis III mission, arrives at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center Complex 39 turn basin wharf in Florida on Monday, April 27, 2026. Artemis III will launch astronauts to Earth’s orbit aboard the Orion spacecraft on top of SLS to test rendezvous and docking capabilities between Orion and commercial spacecraft needed to land Artemis IV astronauts on the Moon in 2028. 

NASA’s Pegasus barge, carrying the top four-fifths of the agency’s SLS (Space Launch System) core stage for the Artemis III mission, arrives at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center Complex 39 turn basin wharf in Florida on Monday, April 27, 2026. Artemis III will launch astronauts to Earth’s orbit aboard the Orion spacecraft on top of SLS to test rendezvous and docking capabilities between Orion and commercial spacecraft needed to land Artemis IV astronauts on the Moon in 2028. 

NASA’s Pegasus barge, carrying the top four-fifths of the agency’s SLS (Space Launch System) core stage for the Artemis III mission, arrives at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center Complex 39 turn basin wharf in Florida on Monday, April 27, 2026. Artemis III will launch astronauts to Earth’s orbit aboard the Orion spacecraft on top of SLS to test rendezvous and docking capabilities between Orion and commercial spacecraft needed to land Artemis IV astronauts on the Moon in 2028. 

NASA’s Pegasus barge, carrying the top four-fifths of the agency’s SLS (Space Launch System) core stage for the Artemis III mission, arrives at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center Complex 39 turn basin wharf in Florida on Monday, April 27, 2026. Artemis III will launch astronauts to Earth’s orbit aboard the Orion spacecraft on top of SLS to test rendezvous and docking capabilities between Orion and commercial spacecraft needed to land Artemis IV astronauts on the Moon in 2028. 

NASA’s Pegasus barge, carrying the top four-fifths of the agency’s SLS (Space Launch System) core stage for the Artemis III mission, arrives at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center Complex 39 turn basin wharf in Florida on Monday, April 27, 2026. Artemis III will launch astronauts to Earth’s orbit aboard the Orion spacecraft on top of SLS to test rendezvous and docking capabilities between Orion and commercial spacecraft needed to land Artemis IV astronauts on the Moon in 2028. 

NASA’s Pegasus barge, carrying the top four-fifths of the agency’s SLS (Space Launch System) core stage for the Artemis III mission, arrives at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center Complex 39 turn basin wharf in Florida on Monday, April 27, 2026. Artemis III will launch astronauts to Earth’s orbit aboard the Orion spacecraft on top of SLS to test rendezvous and docking capabilities between Orion and commercial spacecraft needed to land Artemis IV astronauts on the Moon in 2028. 

NASA’s Pegasus barge, carrying the top four-fifths of the agency’s SLS (Space Launch System) core stage for the Artemis III mission, arrives at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center Complex 39 turn basin wharf in Florida on Monday, April 27, 2026. Artemis III will launch astronauts to Earth’s orbit aboard the Orion spacecraft on top of SLS to test rendezvous and docking capabilities between Orion and commercial spacecraft needed to land Artemis IV astronauts on the Moon in 2028. 

NASA’s Pegasus barge, carrying the top four-fifths of the agency’s SLS (Space Launch System) core stage for the Artemis III mission, arrives at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center Complex 39 turn basin wharf in Florida on Monday, April 27, 2026. Artemis III will launch astronauts to Earth’s orbit aboard the Orion spacecraft on top of SLS to test rendezvous and docking capabilities between Orion and commercial spacecraft needed to land Artemis IV astronauts on the Moon in 2028. 

NASA’s Pegasus barge, carrying the top four-fifths of the agency’s SLS (Space Launch System) core stage for the Artemis III mission, arrives at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center Complex 39 turn basin wharf in Florida on Monday, April 27, 2026. Artemis III will launch astronauts to Earth’s orbit aboard the Orion spacecraft on top of SLS to test rendezvous and docking capabilities between Orion and commercial spacecraft needed to land Artemis IV astronauts on the Moon in 2028.