NASA announces Artemis III crew and will test lunar docking maneuvers in low Earth orbit – mezha.net

A four-person crew will simulate lunar docking close to Earth under mission conditions. The rehearsal aims to reduce risks before a planned Moon landing next year.
Based on data from CNN
NASA announced the four-astronaut crew for Artemis III – a test mission planned for the end of 2027. The journey will last about two weeks and will take place in low Earth orbit to test docking maneuvers between Orion and the lunar modules developed by SpaceX and Blue Origin. The crew includes Randy Bresnik, Frank Rubio, and Andre Douglas from NASA, as well as Luca Parmitano from the European Space Agency.
Artemis III is viewed as a precursor before landing on the Moon: its mission is to practice docking of Orion with the lunar module and to reduce risks ahead of the actual landing NASA plans to conduct around 2028.
To reach the lunar surface, astronauts must perform the appropriate maneuvers in lunar orbit. However Artemis III aims to test these actions closer to Earth – in low Earth orbit, in the same zone where the International Space Station operates.
Launch is planned from Florida on the Orion capsule, repeating the trajectory of Artemis II, which completed its flyby. Reaching low Earth orbit, the lunar modules could be launched separately – Starship from SpaceX, Blue Moon from Blue Origin, or both. Upon reaching the orbit, they will rendezvous with Orion, allowing astronauts to dock and, if needed, board one of the modules. NASA is considering docking with both modules, but the exact readiness timelines for each remain uncertain.
“We will certainly have women military test pilots – or simply other women astronauts – who will undertake the next Artemis missions, and we will carry the torch to pass it to them.”
– Randy Bresnik
During the press conference, Jared Isaacman again stressed that Artemis III may involve docking with both lunar modules: Orion will initially dock with Blue Origin, and then with SpaceX. He also noted that NASA plans to conduct by the end of the year a key test – the so-called wet dress rehearsal – of the SLS.
Participation in this mission underscores the ambitious Artemis program and a focus on developing cutting-edge technology with the involvement of private companies SpaceX and Blue Origin. The Artemis III crew – Bresnik, Rubio, Andre Douglas, and Luca Parmitano – are preparing for a training period of about a year, after which a Florida launch is expected. Artemis III is viewed as a stepping stone on the path to future lunar missions, but exact dates and technical decisions remain subject to clarification by NASA. The Artemis program continues to develop capabilities to return humans to the Moon and lays the groundwork for future deep-space expeditions.
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