# NASA says Artemis III will test lunar lander operations in Earth orbit

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Topic: Science · Status: published · Version: 1
Published: 2026-10-23T23:02:45.119Z · Updated: 2026-10-23T23:02:45.119Z
Record: https://davids.news/s/nasa-says-artemis-iii-will-test-lunar-lander-operations-in-earth-orbit-82577011

The planned 2027 mission will send four astronauts aboard Orion for a 14-day series of demonstrations with lander test articles.

- NASA says the crew will practice rendezvous, docking, habitation and operational procedures in low Earth orbit.

Why it matters: NASA says the tests are intended to reduce risk before a planned crewed lunar landing near the Moon’s South Pole in 2028.

## Original sources

- [NASA](<https://www.nasa.gov/missions/artemis/nasas-artemis-iii-mission-to-test-future-moon-lander-operations>) — primary announcement
  Source: Jason Costa · NASA 2026 · Original report: 2026-10-23T22:37:53.000Z

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