KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, — NASA has outlined updated development milestones for SpaceX and Blue Origin as the agency prepares for the return of astronauts to the Moon under its Artemis program. The revised timeline targets an uncrewed lunar landing by SpaceX in late 2027 and by Blue Origin in early 2028, ahead of a planned crewed lunar landing on Artemis IV in early 2028.
The details were presented by Steve Creech, acting manager of NASA's Human Landing System Program, at the International Astronautical Congress in Antalya, Türkiye, on October 5, 2026. Both companies are developing lunar landers that must complete technical demonstrations and meet NASA's safety requirements before carrying astronauts to the lunar surface.
Artemis III to Test Lunar Landers in Earth Orbit
Under the revised schedule, Artemis III is planned for the third quarter of 2027 and will focus on testing rendezvous and docking between NASA's Orion spacecraft and lander test vehicles from SpaceX and Blue Origin in low Earth orbit. The mission will not include a lunar landing.
Four astronauts will travel aboard Orion, launched by NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) rocket. The crew listed for the mission comprises Commander Randy Bresnik, Pilot Luca Parmitano, and Mission Specialists Frank Rubio and Andre Douglas.
The roughly two-week flight will test whether Orion can safely rendezvous and dock with the two companies' test vehicles. The results will help NASA assess the landers' readiness and determine which system is suitable for a crewed lunar landing.
SpaceX Targets Starship Lunar Landing by Late 2027
SpaceX is targeting an uncrewed Starship lunar landing in the fourth quarter of 2027. Before proceeding, the company must demonstrate orbital propellant transfer between Starships, a key requirement for refuelling the Starship Human Landing System in Earth orbit. NASA's current planning targets this demonstration for the first quarter of 2027.
SpaceX plans to launch a lunar landing-version Starship in late third quarter or early fourth quarter of 2027, with the landing attempt planned by the end of the year. For the Artemis III orbital test, the company will use a modified Starship Version 3 upper stage fitted with a docking system. This test vehicle will not have a complete crew cabin, and astronauts will not transfer into it.
Blue Origin Advances Blue Moon Mark 2 Development
Blue Origin is targeting an uncrewed lunar landing of its Blue Moon Mark 2 lander in the first quarter of 2028. The approximately 16-metre-tall vehicle is powered by three BE-7 engines.
For the Artemis III demonstration, Blue Origin plans to test a more complete vehicle featuring a crew cabin, elements of its life-support systems and flight software. An uncrewed Mark 2 demonstration vehicle is targeted for launch in the fourth quarter of 2027, ahead of its planned lunar landing attempt.
Blue Origin is also developing the smaller Blue Moon Mark 1 cargo lander, scheduled to launch to the Moon in the first quarter of 2027 under NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services program. Additional Mark 1 missions are planned, including flights to deliver NASA's VIPER rover and a lunar terrain vehicle.
NASA Yet to Select the First Crewed Lunar Lander
NASA has not yet decided whether SpaceX's Starship or Blue Origin's Blue Moon Mark 2 will carry the first Artemis astronauts to the lunar surface. The decision will depend on development progress, the results of the required demonstrations and completion of safety reviews.
The agency is also conducting ground studies of rocket plume interactions with the lunar surface and testing docking systems to reduce risks before crewed operations.
The Artemis IV mission is targeted for early 2028 and is expected to carry astronauts to the Moon's surface, marking the first American crewed lunar landing since Apollo 17 in December 1972. A possible second crewed landing under Artemis V is also being considered for later in 2028.
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman and other program leaders are scheduled to discuss the Artemis timeline and commercial lunar lander progress during a live press briefing at Kennedy Space Center on Friday, October 23, 2026. The programme's progress will depend on both companies meeting their development milestones and demonstrating that their vehicles are ready for crewed lunar missions.
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