Status: Planned lunar surface mission. Updated September 27, 2026. Artemis V is intended to follow the first Artemis landing and begin a more regular rhythm of astronaut expeditions. NASA’s current Artemis overview anticipates a 2028 launch, but its schedule and detailed flight design may change as the architecture is revised.
How it fits after Artemis IV
Artemis III will test docking in Earth orbit. Artemis IV is the target for the first crewed return to the lunar south pole. Artemis V would build on those steps with another crewed lunar surface mission, adding operational experience rather than treating a single landing as the endpoint. The long-term goal is repeatable access to lunar terrain, equipment and science sites.
Spacecraft and partners
NASA expects to use the standardized Space Launch System configuration and Orion to carry astronauts toward the Moon. The crew must then transfer to a human landing system for descent and ascent. NASA selected Blue Origin in 2023 to develop a second crewed lander for Artemis V alongside SpaceX’s separate lander program. That earlier contract described a Gateway transfer, but NASA said in March 2026 it would pause Gateway in its current form. The exact transfer architecture therefore needs a new confirmed description before it can be treated as settled.
What is still open?
- Which lunar lander and mission profile NASA ultimately assigns to this flight.
- How the revised lunar surface infrastructure will support crew operations.
- The final launch date, landing region, science objectives and crew.
A useful way to follow Artemis V is to watch hardware milestones and agreements, not just a target year. The uncrewed lander demonstrations, Artemis III docking test and Artemis IV landing will all shape how this mission is flown.
Go back to Artemis IV or the Artemis mission guide. Sources: NASA Artemis program; NASA Blue Origin lander selection; NASA 2026 architecture update.
