NASA's Artemis Program Aims to Return Humans to the Moon

Comparing the new Artemis program to the historic Apollo missions as NASA prepares for its first crewed lunar flight in over 50 years.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 1:36pm

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As NASA prepares to launch the Artemis II mission, the first crewed flight to the moon since the Apollo program ended in 1972, comparisons between the two programs are inevitable. While Artemis builds on the legacy of Apollo, there are key differences, including a more diverse crew, a focus on sustained lunar exploration, and a slower, more cautious approach. The Artemis program has progressed much more slowly than Apollo, with the first uncrewed test flight of the new Space Launch System rocket only occurring in 2022. However, NASA is determined to beat China in the new space race and land astronauts near the lunar south pole by 2030.

Why it matters

The Artemis program represents NASA's first major push to return humans to the lunar surface since the end of the Apollo era. It aims to establish a sustainable human presence on and around the moon, paving the way for future deep space exploration, including potential missions to Mars. The program's success or failure could have significant implications for the future of space exploration and America's leadership in this domain.

The details

The Artemis program will use the new Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, which is taller but less powerful than the Saturn V rockets used in Apollo. The first crewed Artemis mission, Artemis II, will not attempt a lunar landing like Apollo 11 did in 1969. Instead, the four-person crew will orbit the moon and return to Earth, testing the Orion spacecraft's life-support systems. Future Artemis missions will gradually work up to a lunar landing, with Artemis III currently targeted for 2028. Unlike Apollo, which was a race against the Soviet Union, Artemis is focused on competing with China, which is also working to land astronauts on the moon.

  • The first uncrewed test flight of the SLS rocket occurred in November 2022.
  • Artemis II, the first crewed mission, is targeted for launch in the first six days of April 2026.
  • Artemis III, which will attempt the first Artemis lunar landing, is currently targeted for 2028.

The players

NASA

The U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the government agency responsible for the Artemis program and America's space exploration efforts.

Jared Isaacman

The current NASA administrator who has overhauled the Artemis program to emulate the speed and success of the Apollo program.

China

A growing space power that is also working to land astronauts on the moon, posing a competitive challenge to the Artemis program.

SpaceX

A private aerospace company developing a lunar lander that could be used for future Artemis missions.

Blue Origin

A private aerospace company also developing a lunar lander for potential use in the Artemis program.

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What they’re saying

“The Apollo program still just absolutely blows me away.”

— Jeremy Hansen, Artemis II astronaut, Canadian Space Agency

“If we can contribute a little bit to hope for humanity, that is a huge thing.”

— Victor Glover, Artemis II pilot, NASA

What’s next

NASA is targeting the first six days of April 2026 for the launch of Artemis II, the first crewed mission of the Artemis program. The four-person crew will orbit the moon and return to Earth, testing the Orion spacecraft's life-support systems in preparation for future Artemis missions that will attempt lunar landings.

The takeaway

The Artemis program represents a new era of lunar exploration, building on the legacy of Apollo but with a more diverse crew, a focus on sustained presence, and a slower, more cautious approach. While it has progressed much more slowly than Apollo, NASA is determined to beat China in the new space race and establish a permanent human presence on the moon.