NASA announces astronauts for Artemis III spaceflight, scheduled for 2027 | Space News

NASA has named the four-person crew for the Artemis III mission—Andre Douglas, Frank Rubio, Luca Parmitano, and Randy Bresnik—with a target launch before the end of 2027. According to NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, the crew will conduct research and practice in-space docking procedures with Blue Origin and SpaceX landers to prepare for future lunar landings.

Who is the Artemis III crew?

The mission is led by 58-year-old Commander Randy Bresnik, a former US Navy test pilot and Marine. According to NASA, Bresnik is the only crew member who flew on the retired space shuttle program, specifically in 2009, and previously commanded the International Space Station in 2017.

Pilot Luca Parmitano, 49, is the only non-US citizen on the flight. Parmitano is a veteran of the Italian Air Force and became the first Italian to command the International Space Station in 2019.

The mission specialists include 50-year-old Frank Rubio and 40-year-old Andre Douglas. Rubio, a Salvadoran American physician and former US Army Black Hawk pilot, holds the US record for the longest single-duration spaceflight at 371 days. Douglas, a Florida-born engineer, will become one of roughly two dozen African Americans to travel to space.

What is the goal of the Artemis III mission?

The crew will spend two weeks in orbit practicing rendezvous and docking procedures. While the mission was originally intended to land humans on the Moon, NASA scrapped that plan in February to focus on orbital practice drills. NASA acting deputy administrator Jeremy Parsons stated this shift is designed to “reduce risk” for future crewed landings.

The flight operates as a public-private partnership involving three rockets. One will carry the crew in an Orion spacecraft, while two others will launch lander models from SpaceX and Blue Origin. The Orion crew will practice docking with these landers to refine the maneuvers required for actual lunar surface missions.

How does the Blue Origin explosion affect the timeline?

Concerns about the schedule followed the May 28 explosion of an uncrewed Blue Origin New Glenn rocket in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The blast caused severe damage to the launchpad complex, creating a mushroom cloud visible over the city.

Blue Origin representative John Couluris described the event as an “anomaly” and confirmed the company is running around-the-clock shifts to stay on track. Jeremy Parsons of NASA added that the agency is taking an “active role” to ensure outcomes are achieved, maintaining confidence that New Glenn will be ready for the 2027 launch.

How does the US lunar race compare to China’s progress?

The US is competing with the China Manned Space Agency, which announced plans to land a person on the Moon by 2030. China already achieved a milestone in 2024 by becoming the first country to retrieve soil samples from the Moon’s far side using robotics.

The Trump administration has signaled a goal to land astronauts on the Moon before January 2029. This follows the Artemis II mission in April, which marked the first time since 1972 that a crewed capsule flew beyond low Earth orbit.

Senator Ted Cruz stated in a recorded message that the mission strengthens American leadership and helps secure a “lasting American lunar presence” amid growing competition with China.

Lunar Program Comparison: US vs. China

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the commander of Artemis III?
Randy Bresnik, a 58-year-old former US Navy test pilot and Marine, serves as the commander.

When is the Artemis III launch date?
NASA officials have set the takeoff for before the end of 2027.

Will Artemis III land on the Moon?
No. The current mission focuses on research and docking drills in low Earth orbit to prepare for future landings.

Which private companies are involved?
SpaceX and Blue Origin are providing the lander models for the mission.