NASA Unveils Names for Artemis Moon Mission

Orion spacecraft and Integrity lunar lander to play key roles in upcoming lunar exploration

Apr. 1, 2026 at 10:26pm

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NASA has announced the official names for the key components of its upcoming Artemis moon mission, including the Orion spacecraft that will carry astronauts to lunar orbit and the Integrity lunar lander that will transport them to the surface. The mission, set to launch in 2024, represents a major milestone in the agency's plans to return humans to the Moon for the first time since the Apollo era.

Why it matters

The Artemis program is a critical next step in NASA's long-term goal of establishing a sustainable human presence on the Moon, paving the way for future deep space exploration. The mission names reflect the agency's commitment to values like integrity, exploration, and the mythological goddess Artemis, who was the twin sister of Apollo.

The details

The Orion spacecraft, built by Lockheed Martin, will serve as the crew module that transports astronauts from Earth to lunar orbit. The Integrity lunar lander, developed by a team of aerospace companies, will then carry the crew to and from the lunar surface. Both vehicles will play integral roles in the Artemis mission, which aims to land the first woman and next man on the Moon by 2024.

  • The Artemis mission is scheduled to launch in 2024.
  • The Orion spacecraft and Integrity lander are currently in development, with testing and integration underway at NASA facilities.

The players

NASA

The United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the government agency responsible for the country's civilian space program, aeronautics, and space research.

Lockheed Martin

An American aerospace, arms, defense, information security, and technology corporation that is the world's largest defense contractor by revenue.

Artemis

In Greek mythology, Artemis was the twin sister of Apollo and the goddess of the hunt, wilderness, and the Moon.

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What they’re saying

“The Artemis program represents a new era of lunar exploration, and the names Orion and Integrity reflect the values that will guide us back to the Moon.”

— Bill Nelson, NASA Administrator

What’s next

In the coming months, NASA will continue testing and integration of the Orion spacecraft and Integrity lander, with a target launch date for the Artemis mission in 2024.

The takeaway

The Artemis mission and its key components, Orion and Integrity, represent NASA's renewed commitment to human lunar exploration, drawing inspiration from mythology and core values like integrity to guide the agency's return to the Moon.