Fri, 18 Sep 2026 15:59:00 +0000
NASA will roll Artemis 3 out to Launch Complex 39B for a tanking test before the end of 2026.
“Artemis 3 is already being assembled right now at a pace many doubted was possible just months ago. Before year end, we intend to roll out to launch complex 39B for a tanking test” View on YouTube
The deadline is the end of 2026; it had not passed when this was checked (October 3, 2026).
Artemis 3 will launch on SLS in summer 2027 and rendezvous in low Earth orbit with lander test vehicles from Blue Origin and SpaceX.
“Now, in the summer of 2027, Artemis 3 will launch on SLS into low Earth orbit and rendevous with lander test vehicles from Blue Origin and SpaceX” View on YouTube
The target is summer 2027.
American astronauts will land on the Moon on Artemis 4 in 2028.
“and then Artemis 4 in 2028 when American astronauts return to the lunar surface and this time to stay.” View on YouTube
The target is 2028.
NASA will launch SR-1 Freedom, a 100-kilowatt nuclear fission-powered spacecraft carrying Mars helicopters, in 2028.
“In 2028, NASA will leave decades and billions of dollars of failed nuclear programs behind and launch SR1 Freedom, a 100 kilowatt fision reactor” View on YouTube
The target is 2028.
China will land astronauts on the Moon and build a base at the lunar south pole (China's stated target for a crewed landing is 2030).
“The bottom line is the Chinese are extremely good in space right now. You couple that with some Russian capabilities on nuclear power, they will return to the moon and they will get to the moon and they will build a base on the south pole.” View on YouTube
No deadline was given; China's stated target for a crewed landing is 2030.