🌑 Artemis Program

The return of humanity to the Moon — and the beginning of a future where we explore Mars and beyond.

What Is Artemis?

The Artemis Program, led by NASA with global partners including ESA, JAXA, and CSA, is humanity's return to the Moon — this time not just to visit, but to stay. Its goals include:

  • 🌕 Returning humans to the lunar surface
  • 👩‍🚀 Landing the first woman and the first person of color on the Moon
  • 🏛 Building sustainable presence via lunar bases and orbiting stations
  • 🚀 Developing technology for future human missions to Mars

Artemis is the sister of Apollo in Greek mythology — symbolizing a new era of exploration.

Mission Timeline

  • 🚀 Artemis I (2022) — Uncrewed test flight around the Moon.
  • 👩‍🚀 Artemis II (Expected 2025–26) — First crewed lunar flyby since Apollo.
  • 🌕 Artemis III (Expected 2026–27) — Crew landing at the lunar south pole.
  • 🏗 Artemis IV+ (Late 2020s–2030s) — Establishing long-term lunar infrastructure.

Program Components

🚀 SLS (Space Launch System)
NASA’s most powerful rocket ever built — capable of deep space crew transport.
🛰 Orion Spacecraft
The crew capsule built for long-duration deep space missions.
🏛 Gateway Lunar Station
A small space station orbiting the Moon — a staging point for lunar and Mars missions.
🚩 Lunar Surface Systems
Habitats, rovers, power systems, mining, life support — enabling long-term presence.

Why Return to the Moon?

Returning to the Moon is not just symbolic — it is strategic.

  • 🧪 Scientific research in low gravity and radiation environment
  • 💎 Potential resources including water ice and helium-3
  • 🚀 Testing technology needed for Mars and deep space habitats
  • 🌍 Training the next generation of astronauts beyond low Earth orbit

Watch & Explore

🔗 What Is the Artemis Program?
🔗 The Future of Human Space Exploration
🚀 Back to NASA Missions