NASA Outlines SpaceX and Blue Origin Lunar Lander Timelines Ahead of Artemis III Mission in 2027
NASA has outlined upcoming development timelines for SpaceX and Blue Origin as both aerospace companies work to ready their lunar landers for the Artemis program.
NASA has outlined upcoming development timelines for SpaceX and Blue Origin as both aerospace companies work to ready their lunar landers for the Artemis program. The presentation, delivered by NASA Human Landing System Program acting manager Steve Creech, details a series of demonstrations leading up to early 2028. The schedule highlights NASA's Artemis III mission, targeted for the third quarter of 2027.
During this mission, four astronauts aboard the Orion spacecraft will dock in low Earth orbit with test versions of SpaceX's Starship and Blue Origin's Blue Moon landers for interoperability checkouts. These tests will inform NASA's choice of lander for Artemis IV, which is scheduled to carry astronauts to the lunar surface in 2028.
Both companies face extensive milestones before that decision. SpaceX must complete orbital propellant transfer demonstrations and build out its crew cabin systems. Blue Origin is testing its BE-7 engines and recovering its Launch Complex-36 facility following a rocket explosion in May. NASA maintains its goal of returning astronauts to the moon by the end of 2028.
However, both contractors face tight schedules to complete uncrewed landing tests ahead of the crewed landing decision.
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Original publication: 21 October 2026 18:30
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