TBA
CommanderCrew selection for Artemis IV has not yet been announced.
Artemis Program
Crewed Landing
Artemis IV
Now the first crewed lunar landing since 1972, following NASA's February 2026 program restructuring.
Mission imagery coming soon
Mission Overview
Following NASA's February 2026 program restructuring, Artemis IV is now planned as the first crewed lunar landing since Apollo 17 in December 1972. The mission was elevated to this role after Artemis III was redesigned as an Earth orbit test mission to de-risk rendezvous and docking procedures before attempting them at the Moon.
Four astronauts will launch aboard SLS and Orion, rendezvous with a commercial lunar lander, and land on the lunar surface near the south pole. NASA's restructuring also cancelled the SLS Block 1B upgrade with its Exploration Upper Stage (EUS), standardizing all Artemis missions on the proven Block 1 configuration. The specifics of Gateway integration and I-Hab delivery are being replanned to accommodate the new architecture.
The mission represents the culmination of a step-by-step capability buildup: Artemis I (uncrewed test), Artemis II (crewed flyby), Artemis III (orbital docking test), and finally Artemis IV achieving the landing. NASA aims to maintain annual launch cadence from this point, with surface landings on every subsequent mission.
Technical Overview
Mission Duration
~30+ days
Estimated, extended via Gateway
Crew Size
4
Astronauts
Launch Vehicle
SLS Block 1
Standardized config (Block 1B cancelled)
Gateway Modules
I-Hab
International Habitation Module
I-Hab Provider
ESA
Thales Alenia Space
Landing System
Blue Moon MK2
Blue Origin — planned
Surface Stay
~6.5 days
Planned
EVAs
Multiple
Planned moonwalks
Gateway Orbit
NRHO
Near-Rectilinear Halo Orbit
Gateway Habitable Volume
~125 m³
I-Hab + HALO combined
Mission Objectives
01
Deliver I-Hab Module
Transport and install the ESA-built International Habitation Module to the Lunar Gateway, expanding the station's habitable volume and capabilities.
02
First Crewed Gateway Operations
Conduct the first crewed activation and checkout of the Lunar Gateway station, testing life support, power systems, and communications.
03
First Crewed Lunar Landing Since 1972
Land astronauts on the lunar surface for the first time since Apollo 17, targeting the south pole region where water ice may exist in permanently shadowed craters.
04
Validate Landing System
Execute the first crewed use of a commercial Human Landing System for descent to and ascent from the lunar surface, building on docking tests validated during Artemis III.
05
Sustained Exploration Architecture
Demonstrate the full Artemis concept of operations: launch on SLS, dock at Gateway, descend to surface, return to Gateway, and transit home in Orion.
Spacecraft
Spacecraft diagram coming soon
01
Orion Crew Module
Next-generation capsule carrying 4 astronauts, with upgraded avionics and life support proven on Artemis II and III.
02
SLS Block 1
Standardized SLS configuration using the proven ICPS upper stage. The Block 1B / EUS upgrade was cancelled in the February 2026 program restructuring.
03
Lunar Gateway (PPE + HALO)
Pre-positioned station in NRHO. Power and Propulsion Element provides solar electric propulsion and communications. HALO provides initial habitation.
04
I-Hab Module
ESA-built International Habitation module manufactured by Thales Alenia Space. Provides additional living quarters, life support, and science capabilities.
05
Blue Moon MK2
Blue Origin's Human Landing System for Artemis IV and beyond. Large reusable lander powered by BE-7 LOX/LH2 engine.
Crew
TBA
PilotCrew selection for Artemis IV has not yet been announced.
TBA
Mission Specialist 1Crew selection for Artemis IV has not yet been announced.
TBA
Mission Specialist 2Crew selection for Artemis IV has not yet been announced.
Mission Updates
Artemis IV Becomes First Crewed Lunar Landing Mission
NASA restructured the Artemis program, redesigning Artemis III as an Earth orbit test mission and elevating Artemis IV to the first crewed lunar landing since 1972, targeted for 2028. The SLS Block 1B upgrade was cancelled in favor of standardizing on the Block 1 configuration. Gateway integration details are being replanned.
Read SourceCU Boulder LASP Receives $24.8M for Artemis IV Lunar Dust Research
University of Colorado Boulder's Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics received a major NASA grant to develop the DUSTER instrument suite for studying the lunar environment, particularly lunar dust and plasma.
Read Source