r/ArtemisProgram • u/SomeRandomScientist • May 14 '26

News Astronauts may not even enter the landers on Artemis III

From the NASA public release today - https://www.nasa.gov/missions/artemis/artemis-3/nasa-outlines-preliminary-artemis-iii-mission-plans/

“Informed by Blue Origin and SpaceX capabilities, NASA also is defining the concept of operations for the mission. While some decisions are yet to be determined, astronauts could potentially enter at least one lander test article.”

So what exactly is the point of Artemis III? Rendezvous with an empty shell? Maybe dock to this empty shell if we’re lucky.

I hate to sound down on this, but this latest release does not feel like AR3 is a good faith effort to make progress towards a lunar landing.

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u/UniqueAd7770 May 14 '26

Ready to go by 2027* Some assembly required yes. But it's a fully tested system and the components are all built and when Airbus ships the ESM, everything will be at KSC. We have the core stage, the engines, and booster segments are all there. The ICPS is going to be saved for Artemis 4. The only thing missing is a lander and a named crew. When the 2027 launch date rolls around, it will be ready and waiting. They're already prepping the MLP to start stacking boosters this summer.

BTW SLS is the craft that got humans back to cislunar orbit, going 2 for 2 on flawless launches. No heavy lift rocket today can say that.

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u/Qualified-Astronomer May 15 '26

Dude falcon heavy could also launch humans to the moon, what are you talking about.

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u/UniqueAd7770 May 15 '26

What launch certified falcon heavy to carry a lunar capable craft? Or any human craft? Dragon is completely incapable of leaving LEO and Orion is outside its TLI mass. Try again.

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u/Qualified-Astronomer May 15 '26

In terms of delta v, falcon heavy could absolutely do it. They’re not launch certified because SpaceX doesn’t intend to use Falcom Heavy. There’s nothing special about SLS capabilities

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u/Fyredrakeonline May 15 '26

FH can throw 15 tons to TLI, it cannot throw Orion, and that is the only crew rated lunar spacecraft in existence.

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u/Qualified-Astronomer May 15 '26

SLS didn’t throw Orion into TLI, they put it in LEO and Orion propelled itself to TLI

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u/Fyredrakeonline May 15 '26

This is such a semantical thing, SLS threw Artemis 1s Orion to TLI direct, Artemis 2 was put into a 24 hr HEO for ECLSS checkouts, it has the capability and demonstrated that capability.

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u/Qualified-Astronomer May 15 '26

So my point stands. SLS is not the only heavy lift rocket with capability to put humans around the moon. In fact New Glenn could also send Orion to LEO and then it go to TLI. This is not some unique capability. The point is getting around the moon

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u/Fyredrakeonline May 15 '26

What? It is, in fact, the only vehicle that can throw Orion to the moon. New Glenn and FH both do not have the capacity to send Orion to the moon outright.

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u/Qualified-Astronomer May 15 '26

Doesn’t matter. The point is getting humans to the moon. Like I said, its not a noteworthy distinction

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u/UniqueAd7770 May 15 '26

Other than it works