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Artemis Program
PlannedCrewed Lunar Surface Mission

Artemis

Artemis V

A planned late-2028 lunar surface mission intended to expand sustained exploration and begin construction of NASA's Moon base infrastructure.

Launch

Late 2028

Duration

To be determined

Crew

4 astronauts

Artist concept of astronauts and infrastructure on the lunar surface

Mission record

Artemis archive entry · Planned

Mission Overview

The mission

Artemis V is planned as a crewed lunar surface mission targeted for late 2028. NASA expects the mission to continue south-polar exploration, expand surface science, introduce additional infrastructure, and begin building elements associated with a sustained Moon base. The mission is part of a planned transition from individual expeditions toward more frequent lunar operations.

Mission Details

Target Launch

Late 2028

Crew Size

4 astronauts

Primary Destination

Lunar south pole

Mission Focus

Surface exploration and infrastructure

Status

Planned

Mission by the Numbers

Mission Statistics

Mission Type

Crewed Lunar Surface Mission

Landing Site

Lunar south polar region

Launch Vehicle

space-launch-system

Crew

4 astronauts

Status

Planned

Mission Goals

Mission objectives

  1. 01

    Continue crewed exploration of the lunar south polar region

  2. 02

    Expand scientific investigations and sample collection

  3. 03

    Deploy equipment supporting longer-duration surface operations

  4. 04

    Begin construction or emplacement of early Moon base infrastructure

  5. 05

    Test systems required for more frequent lunar surface missions

  6. 06

    Strengthen operational experience for future missions to Mars

Engineering Reality

Challenges

Key challenges recorded for this mission.

01

Deliver increasingly complex surface infrastructure

02

Support longer and more capable lunar expeditions

03

Coordinate multiple commercial and government systems

04

Maintain a rapid mission cadence following Artemis IV

Mission Timeline

Late 2028

Planned Launch

The Artemis V crew is expected to launch aboard Orion and the Space Launch System.

During the mission

Arrival at the Moon

The crew will arrive in lunar orbit and prepare for transfer to a commercial landing system.

During the mission

Lunar Surface Landing

Crew members will descend to the lunar south polar region for exploration and infrastructure deployment.

During surface operations

Surface Infrastructure Deployment

The mission is expected to begin installing or preparing infrastructure associated with sustained Moon base operations.

Mission conclusion

Return to Earth

The crew will reunite aboard Orion and return to Earth for Pacific Ocean recovery.

Mission Hardware

Spacecraft

The launch vehicles, capsules, modules, landers, and other systems assigned to the mission.

Hardware profiles in development

Space Launch System

Launch Vehicle

Orion

Capsule

European Service Module

Service Module

Commercial Human Landing System

Lander

Lunar Surface Infrastructure

Payload

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