Introduction
NASA plans to land humans on the Moon for the first time since 1972. The Artemis III mission, currently targeting 2028, will send the first woman and first person of color to the lunar surface. Unlike the Apollo missions, which visited the equatorial regions, Artemis III will explore the lunar south pole – a region rich in water ice. This preview covers the mission architecture, landing site selection, the role of SpaceX’s Starship Human Landing System (HLS), and the timeline leading up to launch.
For a complete overview of the Artemis program, read our main guide: Artemis II 2026: Historic Moon Mission .
Mission Overview – What Makes Artemis III Different?
Artemis III will be the first crewed lunar landing since Apollo 17 in 1972. However, it differs from Apollo in several critical ways:
- Landing site: The lunar south pole, not the equator.
- Duration: Up to 6.5 days on the surface (Apollo 17 stayed 3 days).
- Crew diversity: Includes the first woman and first person of color.
- Sustainability: Designed to test technologies for a permanent lunar base.
- International partners: Uses the Lunar Gateway space station as a staging point.
According to NASA’s Artemis III mission page, the mission will demonstrate new capabilities, including in‑situ resource utilization (using lunar water ice for life support and fuel).
The Lunar Gateway – A Stepping Stone
Before descending to the surface, the Artemis III crew will rendezvous with the Lunar Gateway, a small space station in orbit around the Moon. The Gateway will serve as a staging point, providing:
- Living quarters and life support for the crew.
- Docking ports for the Orion spacecraft and Starship HLS.
- Science laboratories and external payloads.
- Communication relays for surface operations.
International partners (ESA, JAXA, CSA) are contributing modules and components. The Gateway’s Power and Propulsion Element (PPE) and Habitation and Logistics Outpost (HALO) are scheduled for launch in 2025, with assembly continuing through 2027.
For more on the Orion spacecraft, see our SLS & Orion spacecraft deep dive .
SpaceX Starship Human Landing System (HLS)
NASA selected SpaceX’s Starship HLS as the human landing system for Artemis III. The Starship HLS is a modified version of the Starship spacecraft, designed to:
- Transport astronauts from the Gateway to the lunar surface.
- Carry up to 100 metric tons of cargo – far more than Apollo’s lander.
- Support up to 6.5 days of surface operations.
- Refuel in orbit via tanker flights before departing for the Moon.
The Starship HLS will launch on a Super Heavy booster, transfer to lunar orbit, and dock with the Gateway. After the surface mission, it will ascend and return the crew to the Gateway.
According to SpaceX’s HLS page, the lander completed an uncrewed lunar landing test in 2025. A second test with a reduced crew complement is planned for 2027.
Landing Site Selection – The Lunar South Pole
NASA has identified 13 candidate landing regions near the lunar south pole. These sites offer:
- Water ice in permanently shadowed craters.
- Moderate terrain suitable for landing.
- Access to peaks of eternal light (continuous sunlight for solar power).
The final selection will balance scientific value, safety, and resource accessibility. Current front‑runners include the Shackleton‑de Gerlache ridge and the Faustini crater rim. Both offer proximity to water ice and flat landing areas.
For more on why the south pole matters, read our lunar south pole resources guide .
Mission Timeline – From Launch to Return
| Phase | Duration | Key Events |
|---|---|---|
| Launch | Day 1 | SLS Block 1B launches Orion with 4 astronauts. |
| Lunar transit | ~3 days | Orion travels to the Moon. |
| Gateway docking | Day 4 | Orion docks with the Lunar Gateway. |
| Starship HLS arrival | Day 5 | Starship HLS (launched separately) docks at Gateway. |
| Surface descent | Day 6 | Two astronauts transfer to Starship HLS and descend to south pole. |
| Surface operations | Days 6‑12 | Up to 6.5 days of exploration, science, and sample collection. |
| Ascent and return | Day 12 | Starship HLS returns crew to Gateway. |
| Orion departure | Day 13 | Orion undocks and begins journey back to Earth. |
| Splashdown | Day 16 | Orion lands in the Pacific Ocean. |
The Crew – First Woman and First Person of Color
NASA has not yet announced the Artemis III crew. However, the agency has stated that the landing crew will include the first woman and first person of color to walk on the Moon. Candidates include:
- Christina Koch (first woman around the Moon on Artemis II) – a strong contender.
- Victor Glover (first person of color on a lunar mission) – also on Artemis II.
- Jessica Watkins – geologist and NASA astronaut.
- Joe Acaba – veteran astronaut of Puerto Rican descent.
The final crew selection will occur in 2027, following successful completion of Artemis II and other precursor missions.
For a profile of a likely candidate, see our Christina Koch profile .
Comparison Table – Artemis III vs Apollo 17 vs Artemis II
| Feature | Apollo 17 (1972) | Artemis II (2026) | Artemis III (2028 planned) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Objective | Lunar landing | Crewed lunar flyby | Crewed lunar landing |
| Landing site | Taurus‑Littrow (equator) | N/A | Lunar south pole |
| Crew size (landing) | 2 astronauts | 0 (flyby only) | 2 astronauts |
| Surface duration | 3 days | N/A | Up to 6.5 days |
| Firsts | Last Apollo mission | First woman around Moon | First woman & person of color on Moon |
| Lander | Apollo LM | N/A | SpaceX Starship HLS |
| Support infrastructure | None | None | Lunar Gateway |
Real‑World Applications of Artemis III
- For science: South pole samples will reveal the history of lunar water and solar system bombardment.
- For resource utilization: Demonstrates extraction of water ice for life support and fuel.
- For international cooperation: Validates the Gateway and Artemis Accords framework.
- For inspiration: The first woman and person of color on the Moon will inspire millions worldwide.
FAQ Section
Q1: When will Artemis III land on the Moon?
A: NASA currently targets 2028 for the Artemis III landing. This date depends on the successful completion of Artemis II and the readiness of the Starship HLS and Lunar Gateway.
Q2: Who will be the first woman on the Moon?
A: NASA has not yet announced the crew. However, Christina Koch (first woman around the Moon) is a leading candidate.
Q3: Why is the lunar south pole the landing target?
A: The south pole contains water ice in permanently shadowed craters. This ice can be converted into drinking water, oxygen, and rocket fuel, making it essential for a sustainable lunar base.
Q4: How is Starship HLS different from the Apollo lunar module?
A: Starship HLS is much larger (50 meters tall vs 7 meters), can carry up to 100 metric tons of cargo, and supports surface missions up to 6.5 days. It also requires orbital refueling before departing for the Moon.
Conclusion
Artemis III promises to be the most ambitious lunar landing since Apollo. With the first woman and first person of color on the Moon, the mission will break barriers while advancing science and resource utilization. The combination of the Lunar Gateway, SpaceX Starship HLS, and the Orion spacecraft will enable extended surface operations at the lunar south pole. As Artemis II has shown, NASA and its partners are ready for the next giant leap.
Next step: Explore the geopolitical competition driving this race in our US‑China space race 2026 .