NASA announces Artemis III astronauts Tuesday for ambitious test flight
NASA announced the four astronauts for the Artemis III mission—Commander Randy Bresnik, Pilot Luca Parmitano (European Space Agency), and Mission Specialists Andre Douglas and Frank Rubio—set to test lunar landers in Earth orbit next year as part of preparations for a 2028 lunar landing. The crew will launch aboard the Orion spacecraft atop NASA’s SLS rocket, docking with Blue Origin’s Mark 2 and SpaceX’s Starship landers before the mission progresses toward Artemis IV.
NASA revealed the crew for the Artemis III mission, a critical test flight aimed at advancing lunar exploration. The team includes Commander Randy Bresnik, Pilot Luca Parmitano from the European Space Agency, and Mission Specialists Andre Douglas and Frank Rubio. This marks Douglas’ first spaceflight, while Rubio returns after a record 371-day stay aboard the International Space Station. Bresnik, an experienced astronaut, flew on Space Shuttle Atlantis in 2009. The mission, scheduled for next year, will see the Orion spacecraft dock with two lunar landers—Blue Origin’s Mark 2 and SpaceX’s Starship HLS—in Earth orbit. This test is a stepping stone toward Artemis IV, which plans a lunar landing in 2028. The crew’s selection follows the successful Artemis II mission in April, which completed a lunar flyby after over 50 years. NASA’s Artemis III will launch atop the SLS rocket, testing lander performance in low-Earth orbit before proceeding to the moon. The announcement comes amid challenges, including Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket explosion during a fueling test and ongoing SpaceX Starship development issues. Blue Origin aims to resume launches by year’s end. The mission underscores NASA’s commitment to returning humans to the moon for the first time since Apollo 17 in 1972. U.S. Rep. Mike Haridopoulos praised the crew, calling them representatives of America’s space leadership. Artemis III will validate technologies essential for a sustained lunar presence and future Mars missions. Andre Douglas, a Virginia native, expressed gratitude for the opportunity, while Parmitano emphasized the team’s readiness. The mission’s success hinges on overcoming technical hurdles with both landers, ensuring progress toward deeper space exploration.
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