artemis program

Latest about artemis program

Artemis astronauts may find remnants of a 'decapitated' asteroid's impact on the moon

By Stefanie Waldek Published

An ancient impact may have scattered material from deep inside the moon toward NASA's planned Artemis landing sites near the lunar south pole.

The moon
A view of the Artemis 2 Orion heat shield underwater. The heat shield appears as different shades of dark blue.
Artemis 2 heat shield is a sunken treasure in the ocean | Space photo of the day for April 28, 2026

By Chelsea Gohd Published

This eerie image shows the heat shield following splashdown.

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Human Spaceflight
a cube-shaped vehicle soars above a dusty grey surface dotted with craters
NASA wants to use a fleet of MoonFall drones to scout the lunar south pole: 'We believe we can do it'

By Leonard David Published

NASA is exploring ways to use a fleet of drones to explore the lunar south pole with an ambitious new MoonFall project.

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The moon
Earth sets at 6:41 p.m. EDT, April 6, 2026, over the Moon’s curved limb in this photo captured by the Artemis 2 crew during their journey around the far side of the Moon. Orientale basin is perched on the edge of the visible lunar surface.
Landing astronauts on the moon 'is absolutely doable, and it's doable soon,' NASA's Artemis 2 commander says

By Josh Dinner Published

The Artemis 2 astronauts said they gained a deeper understanding of their Orion capsule during their moon mission — and what they learned bodes well for future Artemis flights.

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Artemis
NASA’s Orion spacecraft captures the Moon and the Earth in one frame during the Artemis II crew’s deep space journey at 6:42 p.m. ET on the sixth day of the mission. The right side of NASA’s Orion spacecraft is seen lit up by the Sun. A waxing crescent Moon is visible behind it. And then, a crescent Earth, tiny compared to the Moon, is about to set below the Moon’s horizon on the right.
NASA's Artemis 2 moonshot was just the 'opening act' for America's return to the moon, space agency chief says

By Elizabeth Howell Published

Artemis 2 kicks off a lunar "relay race" that will lead the NASA and its international partners to a moon base and, eventually, Mars, NASA chief Jared Isaacman says.

Artemis
During its high-speed return to Earth from lunar distance, the thermal protection system of Orion's crew module must endure blistering temperatures to keep crew members safe. Measuring 16.5 feet (5 meters) in diameter, Orion's heat shield is the largest of its kind developed for missions carrying astronauts.
Today is splashdown day for Artemis 2 moon astronauts — What to expect at each stage of reentry & landing (timeline)

By Tariq Malik Published

It's splashdown day for NASA's Artemis 2 moon astronauts. Here's what to expect at every stage.

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Artemis
What do scientists hope to learn from NASA's historic Artemis 2 moon flyby?

By Sharmila Kuthunur Published

Here's what's on the experiment roster for the Artemis 2 moon mission.

Missions
four people in blue flight suits and sunglasses smile and wave on a concrete tarmac
Yes, NASA's launching Artemis 2 astronauts to the moon on April Fools' Day. It's not a joke.

By Tariq Malik Published

NASA is hoping for a historic moon launch, not a punchline on April 1.

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Artemis
Here's what the Artemis 2 astronauts will be doing on each day of NASA's historic moon mission

By Josh Dinner Published

The crew's 10-day mission will be filled with science, spacecraft tests, medical checks, survival training and more.

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Missions
an orange rocket on a launch pad at sunset
Why won't NASA's Artemis 2 astronauts land on the moon when they get there?

By Elizabeth Howell Published

Artemis 2 will launch four astronauts around the moon no sooner than April 1. Why won't this quartet land on the lunar surface?

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Artemis
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