NASA plans to launch the Artemis III crew only after Blue Origin’s lander test vehicle has reached Earth orbit and completed initial checkouts. Administrator Jared Isaacman described that launch commitment in a NASASpaceflight interview, placing the Blue Origin flight first in a campaign involving New Glenn, the Space Launch System, and Starship.
The published interview account describes a sequence beginning with New Glenn carrying Blue Origin’s Blue Moon test vehicle. NASA would then launch its Space Launch System, or SLS, carrying Orion and the astronauts. SpaceX’s Starship flight would follow. Blue Origin’s test vehicle is expected to remain in orbit for approximately 30 days, providing time for checkout and subsequent operations with Orion.
Artemis III is planned as an Earth-orbit demonstration in 2027. Its assigned crew consists of commander Randy Bresnik, pilot Luca Parmitano, and mission specialists Andre Douglas and Frank Rubio. NASA named Bob Hines as the backup crew member in its June mission announcement.
Two Lander Demonstrations With Different Operations
NASA’s detailed mission description outlines a planned 14-day flight. After reaching orbit, Orion’s crew will check the spacecraft’s systems and prepare for rendezvous with Blue Origin’s test article.
Rendezvous brings the spacecraft into a controlled relative position before docking physically connects them. The mission will exercise the software, guidance, communications, and operating procedures used by the participating vehicles and their ground teams.
The Blue Moon portion includes approximately two days of crew evaluations aboard the test vehicle. Astronauts are scheduled to enter its cabin and assess controls, the internal environment, and life-support functions. NASA examines the vehicle’s ability to maintain the planned atmosphere and pressure.
Orion will subsequently separate and prepare for a Starship docking demonstration. SpaceX’s vehicle is scheduled to launch later because its planned orbital operating period is shorter. That encounter is expected to last up to two hours, with the astronauts remaining aboard Orion. The test examines controllability, communications, integrated software, and docking dynamics.
An Earth-Orbit Rehearsal for Lunar Operations
NASA’s Artemis III mission page identifies the flight as a crewed demonstration of systems for subsequent lunar landings. The mission brings Orion together with test versions of the commercial human landing systems being developed by Blue Origin and SpaceX.
The campaign also gives flight controllers experience coordinating several spacecraft operated by separate organizations. Each launch introduces a vehicle with its own flight profile, systems checks, and operating schedule. Isaacman’s stated sequence ties the crew launch to Blue Origin’s arrival and checkout in orbit.
NASA plans to use additional time after the docking activities for Orion tests and research. The spacecraft will then return the crew to a Pacific Ocean splashdown off California, where NASA and U.S. Navy teams conducts recovery operations.
