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Artemis

The Artemis era is here, heralding a future of long-term
scientific exploration and discovery in deep space.

Through Artemis, NASA will explore more of the Moon
than ever before with highly trained astronauts and
advanced robotics.

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WHY WE’RE GOING TO THE MOON

Image of Moon's near side using LRO data

This image based on data from NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter spacecraft shows the face of the Moon we see from Earth. The more we learn about our nearest neighbor, the more we begin to understand the Moon as a dynamic place with useful resources that could one day even support human presence.

NASA / GSFC / Arizona State University

Chapter 1

WHY WE’RE GOING TO THE MOON

We’re going back to the Moon for scientific discovery, economic benefits, and inspiration for a new generation of explorers: the Artemis Generation. While maintaining American leadership in exploration, we will build a global alliance and explore deep space for the benefit of all.

Image of Moon's near side using LRO data

This image based on data from NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter spacecraft shows the face of the Moon we see from Earth. The more we learn about our nearest neighbor, the more we begin to understand the Moon as a dynamic place with useful resources that could one day even support human presence.

NASA / GSFC / Arizona State University

We are Going for Science

The Moon is a 4.5-billion-year-old time capsule, pristinely preserved by the cold vacuum of space. It is a witness to billions of years of solar activity and large collisions that allowed life to gain a foothold in the solar system.

Through Artemis, a cadre of NASA’s robotic and crew missions will begin to unravel some of the greatest mysteries of the solar system for the benefit of humanity. Research at the Moon can tell us how the Earth and Moon were formed and the origins of water in our solar system.

This animated gif shows the Artemis 1 rocket light up the dark, early morning sky on Nov. 16 with intense flames as the rocket ascends toward the sky

Artemis I lights up the dark, early morning sky on Nov. 16 with intense flames as the rocket ascends toward the sky

We are Going for Economic Opportunity

Expanding human presence into the solar system will require the best of NASA, the private sector, and our international partners. With the renewed purpose to return to the Moon, American innovation is leading the way, and the future holds promise for a robust lunar marketplace.

An important part of NASA’s strategy is to stimulate the commercial space industry while leveraging those same capabilities through public-private partnerships and service contracts to encourage competition, drive down costs, and pave the way for future commercial endeavors.

Animated gif showing the Orion spacecraft near the Moon during the Artemis 1 uncrewed flight test in 2022.

We are Going to Inspire a New Generation

We will explore more of the Moon than ever before with our commercial and international partners. Along the way, we will engage and inspire new audiences . We are the Artemis Generation.

Animated gif showing the Orion spacecraft descending toward the Pacific Ocean, with parachutes trailing above it.

Featured Video

Why the Moon

The Artemis missions will build a community on the Moon, driving a new lunar economy and inspiring a new generation. Narrator Drew Barrymore and NASA team members explain why returning to the Moon is the natural next step in human exploration, and how the lessons learned from Artemis will pave the way to Mars and beyond. As NASA prepares to launch the Orion spacecraft and Space Launch System rocket on the uncrewed Artemis I mission around the Moon, we’ve already begun to take the next step.

Learn More About Artemis

OUR SUCCESS WILL CHANGE THE WORLD

Chapter 2

HOW WE ARE GOING TO THE MOON

We will build an Artemis Base Camp on the surface and the Gateway in lunar orbit. These elements will allow our robots and astronauts to explore more and conduct more science than ever before.

Orion Spacecraft

The NASA spacecraft that will carry astronauts from Earth to lunar orbit and back.

art001e002130 Dec. 5, 2022 A portion of the Moon looms large just beyond the Orion spacecraft in this image taken on the 20th day of the Artemis I mission by a camera on the tip of one of Orion’s solar arrays. The return powered flyby burn committed Orion to a return to Earth trajectory ahead of a splashdown off the coast of California on Dec. 11. At its closest point, Orion flew within 80 miles of the lunar surface.

Space Launch System Rocket

The only rocket that can send Orion, astronauts, and cargo to the Moon on a single mission. Upon launch, the SLS will be the most powerful rocket in the world.

NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket with the Orion spacecraft aboard is seen atop the mobile launcher at Launch 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Artemis I mission is the first integrated test of the agency’s deep space exploration systems: the Space Launch System rocket, Orion spacecraft, and supporting ground systems. The mission is the first in a series of increasingly complex missions to the Moon. Launch of the uncrewed flight test is targeted for no earlier than Sept. 3 at 2:17 p.m. ET. With Artemis missions, NASA will land the first woman and first person of color on the Moon, using innovative technologies to explore more of the lunar surface than ever before.

NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket with the Orion spacecraft aboard is seen atop the mobile launcher at Launch 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Artemis I mission is the first integrated test of the agency’s deep space exploration systems: the Space Launch System rocket, Orion spacecraft, and supporting ground systems. The mission is the first in a series of increasingly complex missions to the Moon. Launch of the uncrewed flight test is targeted for no earlier than Sept. 3 at 2:17 p.m. ET. With Artemis missions, NASA will land the first woman and first person of color on the Moon, using innovative technologies to explore more of the lunar surface than ever before.

Exploration Ground Systems

The structures on the ground necessary to support launch and recovery of returning astronauts.

The Vehicle Assembly Building is seen at sunset as preparations continue for the NASA’s SpaceX Demo-2 mission.

The Vehicle Assembly Building is seen at sunset as preparations continue for the NASA’s SpaceX Demo-2 mission, Monday, May 25, 2020, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. NASA’s SpaceX Demo-2 mission is the first launch with astronauts of the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket to the International Space Station as part of the agency’s Commercial Crew Program. The test flight serves as an end-to-end demonstration of SpaceX’s crew transportation system. Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley are scheduled to launch at 4:33 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, May 27, from Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center. A new era of human spaceflight is set to begin as American astronauts once again launch on an American rocket from American soil to low-Earth orbit for the first time since the conclusion of the Space Shuttle Program in 2011. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Human Landing System

Built by American companies, human landing systems are the final mode of transportation that will take astronauts from lunar orbit to the surface and back to orbit.

Side-by-side illustrations of the SpaceX Starship lunar lander and the Blue Origin Blue Moon lunar lander. Each is on the lunar surface, with astronauts nearby and Earth in the distance.

Side-by-side illustrations of the SpaceX Starship lunar lander and the Blue Origin Blue Moon lunar lander.

Gateway

The spaceship in lunar orbit where astronauts will transfer between Orion and the lander on regular Artemis missions. Gateway will remain in orbit for more than a decade, providing a place to live and work, and supporting long-term science and human exploration on and around the Moon.

Gateway to Partnerships

Mobility and Habitation

As Artemis missions progress, NASA and its partners will continue to send elements to the surface. Rovers will expand the exploration range and increase science return. Habitation elements will allow crews to stay on the surface for longer periods of time.

Illustration of four Astronauts on a Moon with two vehicles.

Chapter 3

This is the Artemis Generation.

We go to the Moon for scientific discovery, economic benefits, and inspiration for a new generation of explorers: the Artemis Generation.

Animation showing Artemis astronauts working on the Moon with rovers, tools and habitats.

Artemis I

Artemis I was an uncrewed flight test of the Space Launch System and the Orion spacecraft around the Moon.

Mission patch for the Artemis 1 flight test mission. The triangular shape features the Moon in the center, with the SLS rocket launching above it and plumes of smoke below it. Red and blue curved lines encircle the Moon.

Artemis II

Artemis II will be the first crewed flight test of the Space Launch System and the Orion spacecraft around the Moon.

(3 April 2023) NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Hammock Koch, and CSA astronaut Jeremy Hansen were announced Monday, April 3 as the four astronauts who will venture around the Moon on Artemis II, the first crewed mission on NASA’s path to establishing a long-term presence at the Moon for science and exploration through Artemis. The crew assignments are as follows: Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, Mission Specialist 1 Christina Koch, Mission Specialist 2 Jeremy Hansen.

NASA/Josh Valcarce

Artemis III and Beyond

Planning is underway for a regular cadence of Artemis missions with crew on and around the Moon.

Through Artemis, NASA will land the first woman and the first person of color on the Moon, paving the way for a long-term, sustainable lunar presence to explore more of the lunar surface than ever before and prepare for future astronaut missions to Mars.

Artemis News

In this view looking up from the flame trench at Launch Pad 39B NASA's Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft are seen atop the mobile launcher.

There's Space to Learn

We’re launching learning to new heights with STEM resources that connect educators, students, parents and caregivers to the inspiring work at NASA.

Young students look at a model of a robotic arm with STEM education. STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education is a method of hands-on teaching and learning

Artemis Blog

NASA's Space Launch System rocket is seen in the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in this view looking from the bottom of the rocket up to the top.