NASA is entering a bold new chapter in human space exploration. With the Artemis III mission scheduled for the near future, the agency will not only return astronauts to the Moon for the first time since 1972 — it will also make history by sending the first woman and the first person of color to walk on its surface.
What Is Artemis III?
Artemis III is the third mission in NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to establish a sustainable presence on the Moon as a stepping stone toward Mars. Following the successful uncrewed Artemis I and the upcoming crewed lunar orbit of Artemis II, Artemis III will be the first mission in over 50 years to land humans on the Moon.
Key mission objectives:
- Land astronauts near the Moon’s south pole
- Conduct surface operations for up to one week
- Test new spacesuits and surface mobility tools
- Collect scientific data on lunar ice and geology
Why the South Pole?
Unlike previous Apollo missions that explored the Moon’s equatorial region, Artemis III will target the lunar south pole — an area believed to contain water ice in permanently shadowed craters. Understanding this region is vital to developing long-term lunar infrastructure and supporting future deep space missions.
Making History with Diversity
NASA’s Artemis program places a strong emphasis on representation. The astronaut corps selected for Artemis missions reflects a more inclusive vision for space exploration. Artemis III will mark the first time a woman and a person of color step onto the lunar surface — a milestone that signals a new era of opportunity and inspiration for generations to come.
New Technology, New Approach
- Space Launch System (SLS): The most powerful rocket ever built by NASA, responsible for launching Orion into space.
- Orion Spacecraft: A crew module designed for deep space travel.
- Human Landing System (HLS): Built in partnership with SpaceX, the Starship-based lander will deliver astronauts to the Moon’s surface.
- Artemis EVA Spacesuits: More flexible, modular, and inclusive than the bulky Apollo-era suits.
What Comes After?
Artemis III is just the beginning. NASA plans to launch Artemis IV and beyond, with the goal of building the Lunar Gateway — a space station orbiting the Moon — and eventually sending humans to Mars in the late 2030s.
Stay Tuned
At Galaxy Quest Get, we’ll be following every stage of the Artemis III mission — from pre-launch briefings to surface operations and beyond. Humanity is going back to the Moon — and this time, we’re all invited.