NASA eyes Artemis III as Musk and Bezos compete for moon landing contract

“The next mission is coming,” Heinfling said.

In the next high-risk mission scheduled for launch next year, the Artemis 3 astronauts will remain in Earth orbit and practice docking their Orion capsule with a commercial lunar lander, a crucial step before returning to the moon.

Artemis 2 astronauts lift off after the first mission to the moon in more than 50 years

The Artemis II crew captured a view of Earth setting behind the moon during its flyby on April 6, 2026. (NASA/AP)

Elon MuskStarship’s Starship lander and Jeff Bezos’ Blue Moon lander are competing to prove that their company’s lander will be ready first.

Billionaires are also vying for the chance to carry Artemis IV astronauts during the first scheme Landing on the moon for the program in 2028.

The Artemis II Orion capsule will land in the Pacific Ocean on April 10, 2026. (NASA/AP)

Artemis II astronauts view the Apollo 18 flag from space

NASA has already positioned key hardware for docking testing at Kennedy Space Center, SpaceX is gearing up for another Starship test flight, and Blue Origin is moving toward a lunar landing demonstration later this year.

The long-term goal is much bigger than just one landing. NASA and its partners are targeting the Moon’s south pole, which is believed to contain vast reserves of ice that could provide water and fuel to Earth. Future base – project It is expected to cost between 20 and 30 billion dollars.

Artemis II crew members Jeremy Hansen, Christina Koch, Victor Glover and Reed Wiseman appear on stage at the end of the Crew’s Return event at Ellington Field in Houston on April 11, 2026. (Michael Wyke/AP)

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NASA is expected to announce the Artemis III crew soon. The mission is designed to reflect Apollo era testWhich reduces risks before astronauts are returned to the surface of the moon for the first time in more than 50 years.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.