With the successful splashdown of the Artemis II crew at 5:37 am IST on April 11, 2026, the era of deep space travel has officially reopened.
After spending 10 days orbiting the Moon, astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen returned to Earth, landing safely in the Pacific Ocean.
But for Nasa, the celebration is brief. Work has already shifted toward the next big milestones: Artemis III and the eventual return to the lunar surface.
WHAT IS THE NEXT STEP FOR NASA AFTER ARTEMIS II?
Nasa Administrator Jared Isaacman has made it clear that the agency is moving at high speed.
Artemis II was a flight test, proving that the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and the Orion spacecraft could carry humans safely around the Moon.
The SLS is the most powerful rocket ever built, designed to push heavy loads into deep space. The Orion is the capsule where the astronauts live during their journey.
The next mission, Artemis III, is currently scheduled for 2027.
Unlike the recent lunar flyby, this mission will stay closer to home. It is designed to take place in low-Earth orbit, which is the area of space around Earth where the International Space Station flies.
This mission is vital because it will test how the Orion capsule docks, or connects, with the Human Landing System (HLS).
The HLS is the specialised craft that will eventually carry humans from orbit down to the Moon.
WHY IS ARTEMIS III NOT LANDING ON THE MOON?
In a strategic shift to ensure safety, Nasa decided that Artemis III would serve as a technical rehearsal.
By testing docking procedures and new technology in Earth orbit first, the agency reduces the risk for the actual Moon landing mission.
One of the most exciting parts of this mission will be the testing of new spacesuits.
These suits, known as the Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit or AxEMU, are much more advanced than the ones used during the Apollo missions more than 50 years ago.
They are built to be flexible, allowing astronauts to move their joints more easily and protecting them from lunar dust, which is sharp and abrasive like tiny shards of glass.
WHEN WILL HUMANS FINALLY LAND ON THE MOON AGAIN?
If all goes well with the Artemis III tests in 2027, the stage is set for Artemis IV in 2028.
This is the mission that will see humans finally set foot on the lunar soil again. Isaacman noted that Nasa intends to land at the lunar South Pole.
This region is of high interest to scientists because it contains water ice in permanently shadowed craters.
Water is a game changer for space exploration because it can be broken down into oxygen for breathing and hydrogen for rocket fuel.
Nasa’s long-term goal is to build a permanent base on the Moon. This base will act as a stepping stone for the most ambitious journey of all: sending humans to Mars.
By learning how to live and work on the Moon, humanity is preparing for the stars.
