Artemis program

NASA's Artemis program aims to put astronauts on the moon's south pole in 2024. The program is part of an international effort to build a sustainable human presence on the lunar surface. See the latest news about the Artemis program here. 

Related topics: NASA, Apollo program, Moon

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a golden rocket stage and its four black engines are seen in a horizontal position inside a large warehouse-like facility.

Artemis 2 moon rocket now has all 4 powerful engines on board (photo)

By Elizabeth Howell published

The Artemis 2 moon rocket's core stage now has all four of its RS-25 engines mounted in place. It's a big milestone for the mission as it sails toward a launch in late 2024.

The Artemis 2 moon crew during a launch simulation at NASA's Kennedy Space Center on Sept. 20, 2023. They stand on the crew access arm at Launch 39B, which will one day bring them to the waiting Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft. From left: NASA astronaut and pilot Victor Glover, Canadian Space Agency astronaut and mission specialist Jeremy Hansen, NASA astronaut and mission specialist Christina Koch, and NASA astronaut and commander Reid Wiseman.

Artemis moon program will prioritize ethics, good of society, NASA says

By Elizabeth Howell published

NASA's Artemis program will include consideration of 'ethical and societal matters' as the agency aims for the first human moon landings in 50 years, a new report pledges.

A futuristic nuclear reactor made on glass and metal on the moon with Earth in the background.

New poppy seed-sized fuel pellets could power nuclear reactors on the moon

By Harry Baker published

Scientists have developed a nuclear fuel source no larger than a seed, which NASA will test for use in future moon missions.

four people in rugged outdoor gear walk beside a remote lake in the canadian wilderness

See Artemis 2 astronauts explore moon-like crater in Canada (photos)

By Elizabeth Howell published

Artemis 2 moon astronauts went to Canada for a geology trip to a crater, similar to what they will see on their lunar trip in 2024. Joining them were other astronauts and top geology experts.

NASA's Artemis 2 moon mission crew teaser with four astronauts in spacesuits.

NASA's Artemis 2 moon mission: Live updates

By Tariq Malik, Elizabeth Howell published

NASA's Artemis 2 mission is returning astronauts to the moon for the first time since 1972. See live mission updates here.

a man in a navy-blue jacket stands in front of a wall bearing imagery of the moon from NASA's Apollo program.

Tom Hanks returns to the moon with 'The Moonwalkers,' a new visual experience

By Robert Z. Pearlman published

What do you get when you combine the firm that made the Washington Monument into a Saturn V, the imagery of 'Apollo Remastered' and the actor who made 'Houston, we have a problem' a household phrase?

four humans walking on Earth with orange spacesuits. another background human wears black.

Artemis 2 astronaut crew suits up for moon launch dress rehearsal (photos, video)

By Elizabeth Howell published

The Artemis 2 crew did a launch day simulation on Sept. 20 for their 2024 moon mission. Seven key ground tests are planned by NASA in the coming months.

view of hubble with two solar panels above a space shuttle in space. the earth is behind. a robotic arm is between the shuttle and hubble

'Hubble Hugger' space shuttle engine mounted on Artemis 2 moon rocket (photos)

By Elizabeth Howell published

An old space shuttle engine that once visited the Hubble Space Telescope was just mounted on the Space Launch System rocket that will launch the Artemis 2 moon mission next year.

SpaceX Starship engine passes key test for Artemis 3 moon-landing mission (video)

By Elizabeth Howell published

SpaceX fired one of its Raptor engines last month to test its ability to land the company's Starship vehicle on the moon in cold conditions, which it will have to do on the Artemis 3 mission.

nine well-dressed people stand in a wood-floored room in front of the american and german flags.

Germany signs on to NASA's Artemis Accords for moon exploration

By Andrew Jones published

Germany signed the Artemis Accords on Thursday (Sept. 14), becoming the 29th country to join NASA's framework for peaceful moon exploration.

six women in blue flight suits stand near a white spacesuit.

'The Six' author Loren Grush: 1st female astronauts set example for picking woman to land on moon

By Robert Z. Pearlman published

Forty-five years after selecting its first six women, NASA has 16 female astronauts who could be the first woman on the moon. For Loren Grush, the best thing is they don't have 'the right stuff.'

the silhouette of a sea bird perched on a wooden outcrop from the water, watches with its beak agape as the flames from a massive rocket launching in the distance reflect on the surface of the water.

NASA's mighty SLS megarocket for Artemis moonshots 'unaffordable' for sustained exploration, audit finds

By Sharmila Kuthunur published

NASA needs to be more transparent about the costs and schedules for its Space Launch System moon rocket, a newly released audit has found.

four astronauts wearing orange space suits

Why Artemis 2 moon launch with astronauts is different from Artemis 1

By Elizabeth Howell published

Crew and experience adds a lot of change to the rocket hardware.

NASA's ice-hunting VIPER moon rover will ride a commercial Astrobotic Griffin lander to the moon in 2023.

Watch NASA's VIPER moon rover practice leaving its lunar lander (video)

By Elizabeth Howell published

A prototype of VIPER slithered its way down a ramp.

Artist's illustration of a small moon rover on the lunar surface, with the blackness of space on the horizon.

Australia launching moon rover on NASA Artemis mission as soon as 2026

By Mike Wall published

Australia will launch its first moon rover as early as 2026, on one of NASA's Artemis missions. And you can help name the rover — if you're an Australian resident.

Black astronauts celebrate ISS, Artemis 2 moon missions while reflecting on history

By Elizabeth Howell published

Two Black astronauts spoke to Space.com about their experiences in space and what's coming next.

a table covered in small plant seedlings

NASA and Forest Service offer seedlings to grow Artemis 'moon trees'

By Robert Z. Pearlman published

NASA is seeking education and community organizations to help plant a practical forest of trees with a unique pedigree: the moon. The space agency and Forest Service want to grow Artemis moon trees.

A rocket stage hangs suspended on its side in a warehouse hanger.

Artemis 3 rocket hardware arrives in Florida for crewed moon mission

By Andrew Jones published

The upper stage of NASA's Artemis 3 moon rocket arrived at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, in Florida ahead of a planned 2025 launch.

an astronaut in a blue flight suit holds a tray of pastries in a bakery

Bakery 'Kochs up' kolache to honor moon-bound Artemis astronaut

By Robert Z. Pearlman published

NASA astronaut Christina Koch's assignment to fly around the moon has already given launch to a tasty treat. Good Dough, a bakery in Galveston, Texas, has created the 'Koch it to the Moon' kolache.

a huge launch tower sits between three lightning towers beneath a blue sky

NASA rolls Artemis 2 mobile launch tower to pad for tests (photos)

By Josh Dinner published

The mobile launch platform that supports NASA's Space Launch System rocket was rolled to the pad for testing ahead of next year's crewed Artemis 2 mission to the moon.