NASA Human Landing System Program members view a SpaceX Starship at the company’s facilities in Boca Chica, Texas. NASA is partnering with SpaceX to continue developing a modern human landing system for demonstration during the Artemis III crewed mission, which will land the next two American astronauts on the Moon and lay the foundation for regular trips to the lunar surface later this decade under Artemis. During Artemis III, NASA’s powerful Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft will transport astronauts from Earth to lunar orbit, where crewmembers will transfer to a Starship for transportation to the lunar surface. NASA continues working with SpaceX to ensure performance requirements and safety standards are met as the company develops its lunar lander.
Through Artemis, NASA will send a suite of new science instruments and technology demonstrations to study the Moon, return humans to the lunar surface, including the first woman and first person of color, and establish a long-term presence at the Moon. The agency will leverage its Artemis experience and technologies to prepare for humanity’s the next giant leap – sending astronauts to Mars.
Credit: SpaceX