Artemis I II: NASA reveals next steps in lunar exploration programme

While the world is still shocked by the record-breaking Artemis II mission, which took four astronauts to the other side of the moon, the US National Aeronautics Administration and Space (NASA) is preparing its next mission.

NASA has unveiled plans for Artemis III, a mission that will keep astronauts close to Earth, but will also test the necessary systems for future lunar landings.

The mission will also determine how to co-operate with the numerous cosmic “x1> and partners before astronauts are sent to the moon, said Jeremy Parsons, assistant manager in charge of the Monday-March programme.

Artemis III involves launching the Orion spacecraft with a crew of four. The space shuttle will remain in Earth's low orbit to allow numerous launch opportunities for each element of the mission, including the Space Release System (SLS), which will transport Orion and its crew into space.

NASA says it will also give SpaceX and Blue Origin time to test their missile systems to reduce people to the surface.

Government contracts for Artemis were originally meant for SpaceX for its Starship missile, but NASA said it would reopen the bidding process due to delays. Now, Jeff Bezo's Blue Origin is testing its Blue Moon landing ship during a future robotic mission later this year.

The crew, which has not yet been announced, will spend more time in space than in previous missions to test spacecraft support systems, such as water, oxygen, and nitrogen supplies.

Astronauts will also demonstrate in orbit for the first time the functioning of a dock system, or the link of two spacecrafts for fuel supply.

This is a key part of future missions on the moon and later on to March, as longer flights will require fuel supplies that should be done in space, experts for Euronews Next said earlier.

“Mission will inform concepts of docking the landing ship, crew attitude and mission operations in preparation for future field missions,” NASA said in a statement.

The agency added that there are still questions to answer about Artemis III, including the length of the mission, its scientific objectives and the way astronauts will communicate with flight control.

This description of the mission represents a change from the original plan of NASA's Artemis programme, which envisioned bringing Artemis III back to the moon.

The long - awaited return of people to the lunar surface will have to wait for Artemis IV, scheduled for 2028.