NET - NASA - SLS Block 1 - Artemis III - LC-39A - Kennedy Space Center - Space Affairs Live

Launch Date: NET 2027 Launch Window: Instantaneous Launch Site: LC-39B - Kennedy Space Center, Florida Targeted Orbit: Low Earth Orbit - LEO Launch Inclination: East Launch Status: TBD Mission: Artemis III Launch Provider: NASA Launcher System: SLS Block 1 Manufacturer: Boeing Payload: Orion Crewed Spacecraft - 4 Astronauts Payload Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin Crew: TBD Price of the launcher: $876 million Height: 98,1 meters Payload to Orbit: LEO: 95,000 kg Lift-Off Thrust: 39,440 kilonewtons Fairing: Diameter 5,1 meters / Height 14,3 meters Stages: 2 Artemis III – Mission Overview Artemis III is a crewed mission of NASA’s Artemis program designed to validate critical systems required for sustained lunar exploration. Originally planned as the first crewed lunar landing of the Artemis campaign, the mission has been restructured. Artemis III will now operate in Low Earth Orbit to conduct integrated testing of spacecraft systems, docking procedures, and mission operations prior to a lunar surface attempt. Primary objectives include: • Crewed operation of Orion in Earth orbit • Docking and proximity operations with the Human Landing System (HLS) or Blue Origin Lander System • Validation of crew transfer procedures • Integrated life support and systems performance testing • Operational readiness assessment for future lunar missions • First microgravity test of the new EVA suits, built by Axiom Space The restructuring introduces an additional step in the campaign architecture, reducing risk by validating hardware integration and operational workflows before committing to a crewed lunar landing. The first Artemis crewed landing is now assigned to Artemis IV. Artemis III represents a critical systems integration phase in the long-term effort to establish sustained human presence beyond low Earth orbit.