The Artemis Program is a massive, ongoing Moon exploration program led by the United States' National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), aimed at returning humans to the lunar surface for the first time since Apollo 17 in 1972. It is a space exploration scheme that was formally established in 2017 via Space Policy Directive-1. The program's purpose is to achieve sustainable crewed lunar exploration and establish a permanent base on the Moon as a stepping stone for future human missions to Mars. The name Artemis is derived from the Greek goddess of the Moon, who is the twin sister of Apollo, linking it to the original Moon landing program.
The program's mechanism relies on three core elements: the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, the Orion crew spacecraft, and the Human Landing System (HLS). The SLS, one of the most powerful rockets ever built, launches the Orion capsule, which can carry four astronauts. The HLS, developed by private companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin, is the vehicle that will take astronauts from lunar orbit down to the surface. The uncrewed Artemis I mission, which launched on November 16, 2022, was a crucial test flight of the SLS and Orion.
The Artemis Program connects to a broad international framework through the Artemis Accords, a set of non-binding principles for cooperation in civil space exploration, and involves partners like the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). It also builds upon the legacy of previous programs like Project Apollo and the canceled Constellation program.
The program has undergone recent changes to its mission structure. The original plan for Artemis III to be the first crewed lunar landing was revised in 2026. Artemis III, now scheduled for mid-2027, will instead be a test mission to perform rendezvous and docking exercises in low-Earth orbit with the commercial lunar landers. The first crewed landing is now planned for the Artemis IV mission, targeted for early 2028, with the goal of landing two astronauts near the Moon's South Pole. The long-term goal of establishing a permanent lunar base remains the same.