NASA will announce the four astronauts flying the Artemis III mission on Tuesday, June 9, marking the first crewed lunar landing since 1972—and a pivotal test for the commercial landers that will carry humans to the moon’s surface. The mission, targeting late 2027, will focus on critical docking maneuvers in low Earth orbit, setting the stage for the first crewed lunar touchdown in 2028. With SpaceX’s Starship and Blue Origin’s Blue Moon competing for the landing contract, Artemis III’s success will determine which vehicle gets the nod. Meanwhile, the astronauts chosen will likely include a mix of veterans and newcomers, with spacewalk experience and spacecraft piloting skills top priorities.
Eligibility and Selection Criteria for Artemis III Astronauts
Who’s eligible—and who’s not?
The Artemis III crew won’t include the four astronauts who just returned from Artemis II—Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen—since NASA typically rotates crews to avoid overuse. Instead, the pool narrows to the 18 astronauts originally selected for the Artemis program in 2020, plus any newer candidates who’ve since joined the corps. But not all are equally likely. According to Space.com, timing is everything: astronauts currently assigned to long-duration missions on the International Space Station (ISS) may be ineligible, as will those whose skills don’t align with Artemis III’s objectives. The mission’s focus on docking and spacesuit testing suggests NASA will prioritize pilots with experience in complex spacecraft operations—and at least one astronaut with spacewalk credentials.
One wild card? The commercial landers themselves. SpaceX’s Starship and Blue Origin’s Blue Moon are both still in development, with Blue Origin facing a major setback when one of its New Glenn rockets exploded during an engine test. That delay could push NASA to fly Artemis III with a single lander—or even both—if one isn’t ready by late 2027. The decision hinges on Artemis III’s success in proving the docking and rendezvous systems will work as intended.
Mission Objectives Beyond Apollo: Docking, Spacesuits, and Lunar Sustainability
Contrary to the Apollo-era approach of manual landings, Artemis III won’t touch down on the moon. Instead, it will launch Orion into low Earth orbit (LEO) to practice docking with the commercial landers—critical for the 2028 lunar landing mission, Artemis IV. This isn’t just a dress rehearsal; it’s a high-stakes test of whether the landers can safely ferry astronauts to and from the lunar surface. As The Planetary Society notes, this mission also marks the first crewed use of automated landing systems, a technology proven on Mars with Perseverance but never before with humans in the loop.
The stakes extend beyond engineering. Artemis III will also test the next-generation spacesuits designed for lunar surface operations, which must handle the extreme conditions of the moon’s south pole—where lighting and terrain make landings far riskier than Apollo’s equatorial sites. And while Artemis III won’t harvest lunar resources (like water or oxygen), it’s laying the groundwork for future missions that will. The long-term goal? Making the moon a sustainable outpost, not just a destination.
Competing Lander Technologies and NASA’s Contractual Flexibility
The lander race: SpaceX vs.
NASA awarded both SpaceX and Blue Origin contracts for lunar landers in 2021, but only one will get the first crewed flight. Artemis III’s results could decide which company wins—or whether NASA splits the mission between both. The delay to Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket adds pressure: if Starship is ready, NASA might opt for SpaceX’s vehicle first. But if Blue Origin’s lander is the only viable option, the agency could face criticism for favoring one contractor over another.
The timing is tight. Artemis III is slated for late 2027, but lander development has been plagued by setbacks. SpaceX’s Starship has yet to achieve a successful orbital test flight, while Blue Origin’s explosion underscores the risks of new rocket technology. NASA’s flexibility—flying with one or both landers—reflects the uncertainty. As The Verge points out, the agency’s willingness to adapt is both a strength and a gamble: if neither lander is ready, the entire Artemis timeline could slip further.
Stakes of the Crew Announcement and the Future of Artemis
With the crew announcement just days away, speculation is rampant. WKMG’s ClickOrlando reports the live reveal will stream from Johnson Space Center on June 9 at 11 a.m. ET, with the four astronauts likely to include a mix of veterans and rookies. Key traits? Spacewalk experience (for testing new suits), spacecraft piloting skills (for docking drills), and the ability to handle high-pressure media scrutiny.
But the real story isn’t just who flies—it’s what happens after. Artemis III’s success will determine whether NASA proceeds with Artemis IV in 2028 as planned, or whether the program faces another delay. The lander decision alone could reshuffle timelines, budgets, and even public support. And with the moon’s south pole as the target, the mission will test not just technology, but NASA’s ability to navigate the complexities of international partnerships, commercial contracts, and the political will to sustain a long-term lunar presence.
One thing is certain: when the astronauts are named on Tuesday, they won’t just be pioneers—they’ll be the ones who decide whether humanity’s return to the moon stays on track, or gets derailed by the very challenges they’re sent to overcome.
