Artemis
Artemis IV
NASA's first planned Artemis crewed lunar landing, targeting the Moon's south polar region in early 2028.
Launch
Early 2028
Duration
To be determined
Crew
4 astronauts
Mission record
Artemis archive entry · In Development
Mission Overview
The mission
Artemis IV is planned as the first crewed lunar landing of NASA's Artemis campaign. Four astronauts will launch aboard Orion and the Space Launch System, travel to lunar orbit, and transfer to a commercially developed human landing system. Two crew members are expected to descend to the lunar south polar region for approximately one week of exploration before returning to Orion.
Mission Details
Target Launch
Early 2028
Crew Size
4 astronauts
Planned Landing Crew
2 astronauts
Planned Surface Stay
Approximately one week
Landing Region
Lunar south pole
Mission by the Numbers
Mission Statistics
Mission Type
Crewed Lunar Landing
Landing Site
Lunar south polar region
Launch Vehicle
space-launch-system
Crew
4 astronauts
Surface Time
Approximately one week
Status
In Development
Mission Goals
Mission objectives
- 01
Return astronauts to the lunar surface
- 02
Land two crew members near the Moon's south pole
- 03
Conduct approximately one week of lunar surface exploration
- 04
Collect samples and perform scientific investigations
- 05
Demonstrate crew transfer between Orion and a commercial lunar lander
- 06
Test systems and procedures required for sustained lunar operations
- 07
Return the crew safely to Earth aboard Orion
Fascinating Details
Did You Know?
Key did you know? recorded for this mission.
Because Artemis III was restructured into an Earth-orbit demonstration, Artemis IV is now planned to be NASA's first crewed Moon landing since Apollo 17.
Artemis IV targets the Moon's south polar region, an area no Apollo mission ever explored.
Only two of the mission's four astronauts are expected to descend to the lunar surface, while the other two remain aboard Orion in lunar orbit.
Astronauts are expected to spend about a week on the lunar surface, far longer than any single Apollo moonwalk period.
The mission is expected to introduce a purpose-built commercial human landing system, separate from the Orion capsule that carries the crew to the Moon.
Engineering Reality
Challenges
Key challenges recorded for this mission.
Complete and certify the selected commercial human landing system
Coordinate Orion and lander operations in lunar orbit
Operate safely in the difficult lighting and thermal environment near the lunar south pole
Support extended surface operations far beyond Apollo-era mission durations
Mission Timeline
Early 2028
Planned Launch
The Artemis IV crew will launch aboard Orion and the Space Launch System from Kennedy Space Center.
During the mission
Arrival in Lunar Orbit
Orion will enter lunar orbit and prepare to rendezvous with the commercial human landing system.
During the mission
Crew Transfer to Lunar Lander
Two crew members will transfer from Orion into the selected lunar landing system.
During the mission
Lunar South Pole Landing
The landing crew will descend to the Moon's south polar region for scientific and exploration activities.
Approximately one week
Lunar Surface Exploration
The astronauts will conduct moonwalks, collect samples, deploy equipment, and perform scientific investigations.
Mission conclusion
Return to Lunar Orbit
The landing crew will launch from the surface and reunite with the astronauts aboard Orion.
Mission conclusion
Return to Earth
Orion will carry all four astronauts back to Earth for reentry and Pacific Ocean recovery.
Mission Hardware
Spacecraft
The launch vehicles, capsules, modules, landers, and other systems assigned to the mission.
Hardware profiles in development
Space Launch System
Launch Vehicle
Orion
Capsule
European Service Module
Service Module
Commercial Human Landing System
Lander
Mission Photo Archive
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