NASA Begins Stacking Artemis III Rocket for 2027 Orbital Test Mission

NASA has started assembling the Space Launch System rocket for the Artemis III mission, which will test docking technologies in low Earth orbit before a planned lunar landing in 2028.

• NASA has received the first segment of a solid rocket booster at the Vehicle Assembly Building in Florida, marking the start of stacking for the Artemis III rocket.
• NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman announced that the agency will conduct a full wet dress rehearsal and countdown test before the end of 2026.
• The Artemis III crew of four will remain in low Earth orbit for about two weeks, testing docking with lunar lander prototypes from SpaceX and Blue Origin.
• The first human lunar landing under the Artemis program is now planned for the Artemis IV mission, currently scheduled for late 2028.