NASA names crew for Artemis III test flight to commercial landers
The prime crew includes NASA astronauts Randy Bresnik, Frank Rubio, and Jeremy Hansen, alongside ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano, marking the first time a European has been assigned to an Artemis mission.
NASA has confirmed the crew and operational plan for the Artemis III mission, scheduled for 2027. This mission serves as a critical test flight to validate rendezvous and docking capabilities with commercial human landing systems from Blue Origin and SpaceX before Artemis IV, the first crewed lunar South Pole landing planned for 2028. The prime crew includes NASA astronauts Randy Bresnik, Frank Rubio, and Jeremy Hansen, alongside ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano, who is assigned as pilot—the first ESA astronaut selected for an Artemis mission. Bob Hines serves as the backup.
The mission profile involves a multi-launch campaign in low Earth orbit, where the Orion spacecraft, launched via the Space Launch System (SLS), will dock with Blue Origin’s lander for approximately two days and SpaceX’s Starship for one day. The total mission duration is expected to be around two weeks. This effort builds on the successful Artemis II flight and involves international partnership, including the European Space Agency’s provision of the European Service Module for Orion.
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman described the selection as a bold step in humanity’s return to the Moon, noting that the Artemis II astronauts had reignited global excitement for exploration. He highlighted that Artemis III will demonstrate the power of American innovation and international partnership as the team tests complex rendezvous and docking operations. Isaacman stated the mission aims to advance technologies that will one day carry astronauts deeper into the solar system.
Josef Aschbacher, director general of the European Space Agency, said Parmitano’s assignment as pilot reflects the depth of European expertise in human spaceflight. He noted that the European Service Module will once again provide critical capabilities that power Orion, demonstrating Europe’s enduring role in the Artemis program. Aschbacher described the news as a powerful recognition of ESA’s role in enabling humanity’s return to the Moon.
Engineers are currently integrating the Orion crew module and service module, with heat shield testing and rocket processing underway. Blue Origin and SpaceX are building test articles for their respective landers for this mission. The Artemis III mission builds on the successful Artemis II flight completed in April and will help the agency prepare to send the first astronauts to Mars.
