NASA names Artemis III crew for 2027 lunar test mission
9 reported
NASA has announced the four astronauts selected for the Artemis III mission, a high-stakes 2027 flight designed to test critical technologies for future lunar exploration. The crew will launch aboard the Orion spacecraft on an SLS rocket from Kennedy Space Center and perform unprecedented docking operations with test versions of lunar landers being developed by Blue Origin and SpaceX. The mission will involve multiple heavy-lift rocket launches and complex in-space maneuvers, with the crew spending about two weeks in orbit before splashing down in the Pacific Ocean. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman stated the mission will demonstrate American innovation and international partnership. The assignment of ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano as pilot marks the first time a European astronaut has been selected for an Artemis mission. The mission follows the successful Artemis II flight completed in April and is intended to help prepare for future crewed missions to Mars.
What’s reported
NASA named Randy Bresnik (commander), Luca Parmitano (pilot), Andre Douglas (mission specialist), and Frank Rubio (mission specialist) to the Artemis III crew.
Bob Hines was selected as the backup crew member.
The mission is scheduled for 2027 and will launch from Kennedy Space Center aboard NASA's SLS rocket.
Artemis III will test rendezvous and docking operations with test versions of lunar landers from Blue Origin and SpaceX.
The mission will involve multiple launches: first Blue Origin's lander pathfinder, then Orion, then SpaceX's Starship pathfinder.
Orion will dock with the Blue Origin lander for roughly two days and with Starship for approximately one day.
The crew is expected to spend about two weeks in space, with splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.
Parmitano is the first ESA astronaut assigned to an Artemis mission.
The mission follows the Artemis II flight completed in April 2026.
Key figures
Randy Bresnik, Artemis III commander
Luca Parmitano, ESA astronaut, Artemis III pilot
Andre Douglas, Artemis III mission specialist
Frank Rubio, Artemis III mission specialist
Bob Hines, backup crew member
Jared Isaacman, NASA Administrator
Josef Aschbacher, ESA Director General
Sources: ScienceDaily
