Nasa is gearing up for a much-awaited event, preparing to announce the names of the four astronauts who will make up the crew for the latest Artemis mission, helping Nasa’s mission to eventually land humans on the Moon.
The announcement about the Artemis-III crew comes just two months after Nasa successfully completed the Artemis-II mission, which was the first crewed mission in the Artemis programme and sent humans beyond low Earth orbit for the first time since 1972. The four astronauts, aboard the Orion spacecraft, flew around the Moon, travelling farther into the deep space than anyone before them.
The mission lasted about 10 days and thoroughly tested Orion’s systems during a high-speed return through Earth’s atmosphere, proving that the spacecraft and rocket are ready for more complex journeys.
The Artemis-III crew is set to be announced on Tuesday, June 9, during a live event, scheduled for 8:30 pm Indian Standard Time (IST). The event will take place at the agency’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, and will also provide the latest updates on this important test flight.
Coming soon: one of history’s most complex missions
Tune in on Tuesday, June 9, at 11am ET, to meet the astronauts flying aboard Artemis III, the mission that will test docking capabilities with commercial landers in low Earth orbit — an important step to crewed lunar landings. pic.twitter.com/8XPmEVLwQK— NASA (@NASA) June 7, 2026
WHAT IS ARTEMIS-III?
The Artemis programme represents Nasa’s ambitious plan to send humans back to the Moon and establish a long-term presence there, paving the way for future trips to Mars.
Unlike the Apollo missions of the 1960s and 1970s, Artemis focusses on sustainable exploration, involving international partners and private companies. It also aims to land the first woman and first person of colour on the lunar surface while exploring new areas like the Moon’s South Pole.
Artemis-III, planned for launch in late 2027, marks a key testing phase in pursuit of these ambitions.
A view of Nasa’s SLS and Orion spacecraft at the launch pad. (Photo: Nasa)
The latest Artemis mission was initially envisioned as a landing mission, but the plan has been adjusted. Now, the crew will stay in low Earth orbit where they will practice meeting up and connecting, called rendezvous and docking, with one or both commercial lunar landers being built by SpaceX and Blue Origin.
These tests will help reduce risks before actual Moon landings begin with Artemis-IV, targeted for early 2028.
The mission will use Nasa’s powerful Space Launch System (SLS) rocket to send the Orion spacecraft carrying four astronauts.
AN IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
Naming the Artemis-III crew brings fresh faces, and possibly repeat flyers, into the spotlight.
These astronauts will play a vital role in making sure future missions to the Moon’s surface are safe and successful.
By working closely with commercial partners, Nasa is blending government expertise with private innovation to push human spaceflight forward.
The announcement will reaffirm humanity’s bid to reach the Moon once again, and this time not just to visit, but to learn, explore, and prepare for bigger adventures.
The live stream of the announcement will be available to watch on Nasa’s YouTube channel and Nasa+
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Published On:
Jun 8, 2026 11:29 IST