NASA names Artemis III crew for final moon landing test

NASA officially named the four‑person crew for the Artemis III mission on Tuesday, marking the final orbital test phase before humans return to the lunar surface. “This mission will be one of the most complex that NASA has undertaken,” said flight operations director Norm Knight, emphasising that the agency relies on the crew’s dedication to fulfil its critical role. The mission, planned for 2027, will involve a series of challenging tests in Earth orbit and is expected to last two weeks.

International crew

Commander Randy Bresnik, a retired Marine Corps colonel and test pilot, will lead the team. He previously commanded the International Space Station. The crew includes Mission Specialist Frank Rubio, a US Army physician and helicopter pilot who holds the record for the longest single spaceflight by an American; Mission Specialist Andre Douglas, a Coast Guard reserve commander making his debut flight; and pilot Luca Parmitano, an Italian Air Force colonel representing the European Space Agency (ESA). NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said astronauts will dock the Orion spacecraft with landers developed by SpaceX and Blue Origin.

Future lunar base

If Artemis III succeeds, NASA intends to land a crew at the lunar South Pole during Artemis IV in 2028. The crew will help develop operational procedures for future lunar residents as the agency aims to establish a permanent base for scientific and economic research.