Artemis III trajectory

07-07-2026 The journey consists of these main steps:

1 Launch

• • • Four astronauts launch from KSC aboard SLS).
    • The crew travels in the Orion spacecraft.

2 Enter Low Earth Orbit

• • • Orion reaches a stable orbit around Earth.
    • The crew checks all spacecraft systems and prepares for the next phase of the mission.

3 Rendezvous and Docking

• • Orion meets and docks with one or more commercial lunar landers that were launched separately.
  • This demonstrates the docking procedures that will be required for future Moon missions.

4 Technology Demonstration

• • The astronauts test the docked spacecraft and practice operations such as transferring between vehicles.
  • These demonstrations help validate the systems needed for future lunar exploration.

5 Return to Earth

• Orion undocks from the lander.
• The spacecraft re-enters Earth’s atmosphere and splashes down in the ocean using parachutes, where the crew is recovered.