NASA unveiled the Artemis III crew Tuesday, targeting a no‑earlier‑than summer 2027 launch. The mission will rendezvous in low‑Earth orbit with two separate lunar landers—a test article from Blue Origin and a prototype SpaceX Starship‑derived vehicle—before heading toward the Moon. Program manager Jeremy Parsons said the SLS core and boosters are on track for July stacking, putting the launch schedule on firm footing overall.

Parsons detailed a short‑stack wet‑dress rehearsal for the SLS, replacing the problematic cryogenic seals on the tail‑service‑mast umbilicals and adding a metal spacer that will arrive at Kennedy by December. He also confirmed the Orion‑to‑spacer integration is proceeding smoothly, with the spacer’s metal form already being bump‑formed at United Launch Alliance and welded at Marshall Space Flight Center for the upcoming mission.

The Blue Origin lander, dubbed a “test article,” sits between Mk 1 and Mk 2 designs, using the same crew module avionics and life‑support but storable propellants instead of cryogenic BE‑7 engines. Parsons said New Glenn’s 7×2 configuration can loft the vehicle, though NASA retains backup options such as Vulcan or Falcon Heavy if launch‑pad readiness slips, preserving schedule flexibility for Artemis III.