NASA revises Artemis plan with 2027 docking flight and 2028 landing

NASA announced an overhaul of the Artemis program that adds a 2027 in‑orbit docking test (relabelled Artemis III) and targets a crewed lunar landing in 2028 as Artemis IV, while cancelling the Boeing-developed Exploration Upper Stage.

NASA announced a major overhaul of its Artemis moon program, changing the mission sequence and vehicle plans. The agency now plans annual crewed launches and has discontinued the Boeing-developed Exploration Upper Stage. Officials said an additional crewed test flight in 2027 is needed before attempting a lunar landing. The shift follows recent hardware issues including an upper-stage helium leak and earlier hydrogen leaks. Key changes: - Artemis III will be redefined as a mid‑2027 in‑orbit docking test of the Orion crew capsule with a commercial lunar lander. - The crewed lunar landing mission is now labelled Artemis IV and is targeted for 2028. - NASA is cancelling the Boeing-developed Exploration Upper Stage and will continue with the SLS Block 1 configuration rather than an upgraded variant. - The agency plans to move toward roughly annual crewed launches after Artemis IV. - The changes were announced by NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman at a Feb. 27 news conference. - Recent hardware problems, including an upper‑stage helium leak that delayed Artemis II, were cited as a factor in the revision. Summary: The overhaul adds a step between the upcoming Artemis II flight and the planned lunar landing to test rendezvous and docking procedures in orbit, and it removes a planned SLS upper‑stage upgrade. NASA characterizes the move as a way to rebuild workforce skills and restore core capabilities before attempting a landing. The near-term sequence is Artemis II preparations, a mid‑2027 Artemis III docking test, and the Artemis IV landing planned for 2028.