Just months after the success of Artemis II, NASA is poised to reveal its next generation of daring astronauts.At 11:00 EST (16:00 GMT) tomorrow, the space agency will reveal the four astronauts flying aboard Artemis III.In 2027, this mission will see the crew fly into low Earth orbit to see how NASA's new lunar landers dock with the Orion spacecraft used during Artemis II.While NASA hasn't revealed the details, these landers could be provided by one or both of Elon Musk's SpaceX and Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin.In a post on X, NASA dubbed the test flight 'one of history’s most complex missions'.So far, the space agency is staying tight–lipped about who it is considering to take on this exciting new mission.However, Artemis III's precise manoeuvres and low–orbit flight mean a few potential candidates may have the edge – and the Artemis II crew aren't necessarily ruled out.So, here are the likely candidates poised to take the next step forward for the Artemis moon missions. At 11:00 EST (16:00 GMT) tomorrow, the space agency will reveal the four astronauts flying aboard Artemis III In 2027, this mission will see the crew fly into low Earth orbit to test docking with the new lunar landers provided by SpaceX (artist's impression) or Blue OriginDr Andre DouglasDr Andre Douglas, 40, is probably one of the best candidates to take on the Artemis III mission due to his experience with NASA's last moon mission.During the preparations for Artemis II, Dr Douglas was selected as a backup crew member.This means that he trained alongside Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen and was prepared to step in and fill their positions.That gives Dr Douglas a unique level of experience with the Orion crew capsule that will be used during Artemis III.Additionally, Dr Douglas has been involved in some of NASA's most important scientific projects of recent years.He supported the Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) planetary defence mission for NASA and was part of the Lunar Surface Innovation Consortium that worked to develop technology for a return to the moon.Although he lacks spaceflight experience, NASA was clearly ready to trust him with Artemis II and could be prepared to put its faith in him again. Dr Andre Douglas: The backup astronaut for Artemis II was prepared to launch with the last mission and is familiar with the Orion crew capsule The top contenders for the Artemis III crew Dr Andre DouglasDr Jessica Meir Randolph 'Komrade' BresnikDr Jessica Watkins Stephanie Wilson Victor Glover Dr Jessica MeirAnother top contender is Dr Jessica Meir, 48, a veteran NASA astronaut with extensive spaceflight experience.In 2020, NASA unveiled what it called the 'Artemis Team', a list of 18 astronauts who were supposed to train for the moon landing.Although the agency has now scrapped this list, selecting Reid Wiseman, who was not on the Artemis Team, it is still a good indication of who could be in the running.Among those potential candidates, Dr Meir stands out as the most experienced potential crewmember.She has clocked up 205 days in low–Earth orbit aboard the International Space Station (ISS) since being selected for the astronaut programme in 2013.Dr Meir also made history by taking part in the first all–female spaceflight alongside Artemis II crewmember Christina Koch.The only issue is that she is currently in space, serving as commander aboard the ISS for NASA's SpaceX Crew–12 mission. Jessica Meir: A veteran astronaut with over 205 days in space and three spacewalks under her belt. Currently serving as commander aboard the ISS for NASA's SpaceX Crew–12 missionHowever, if Dr Meir can return to Earth and get back into mission fitness by 2027, that extra experience could prove invaluable.Randolph 'Komrade' BresnikAlthough Randolph 'Komrade' Bresnik, 58, hasn't been to space since 2018, he is still a highly experienced astronaut with outstanding pilot skills.Bresnik was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the US Marine Corps in 1989, becoming an F/A–18 Test Pilot.He was eventually deployed to Kuwait to fly combat missions as part of Operation Southern Watch and Operation Iraqi Freedom.He has logged over 7,000 hours in more than 95 different types of aircraft and 3,600 hours in spacecraft alone.Additionally, Bresnik has flown on multiple NASA missions, most recently serving as ISS commander for Expedition 53, logging over 149 days in space and 32 hours of spacewalks.Most importantly, Bresnik has already had a key role in the Artemis Programme and is intimately familiar with the hardware testing process. Randolph 'Komrade' Bresnik: One of NASA's most experienced astronauts, Mr Bresnik serves as the space agency's Assistant–to–the–Chief of the Astronaut Office for Exploration Do you have what it takes to be an astronaut? US citizenship required Frequent travel will be requiredMust complete a financial disclosure statementMust meet all qualification/education and experience requirements by the closing date of the announcement (April 2)Applicants may only select one discipline group to apply underSelectees will be designated Astronaut Candidates and will undergo a training and evaluation period lasting approximately two yearsApplicants must submit all STEM related transcriptsHe is currently serving as the Assistant–to–the–Chief of the Astronaut Office for Exploration, which means that he manages the development and testing of everything that will operate beyond low–Earth orbit.This puts the veteran astronaut in a great position to personally oversee the testing of the new lunar landers from aboard the Orion capsule.Dr Jessica WatkinsAnother standout from the original Artemis Team roster is Dr Jessica Watkins, 38.Dr Watkins has already made waves at NASA, becoming the first black woman to serve on the ISS for a long–term mission.After completing her astronaut training in 2019, Dr Watkins spent 170 days as a mission specialist on the ISS during NASA's SpaceX Crew–4 mission.The only thing that might count Dr Watkins out of the running for Artemis III is that her skill set would be better suited to a lunar landing.In addition to being an astronaut, she is a highly accomplished geologist who served as chief geologist for a NASA analogue mission at the Mars Desert Research Station. Dr Jessica Watkins: In 2019, Dr Watkins became the first black woman to serve on the ISS for a long–term mission, spending a total of 170 days in space. She is also a highly accomplished geologist One of NASA's major goals for the first moon landing is to assess whether the moon's south pole has geology suitable for a permanent moon base.That means sending Dr Watkins into low–Earth orbit, rather than allowing her to focus on lunar exploration, may be a waste of her skills.Stephanie WilsonHaving been selected as an astronaut in 1996, Stephanie Wilson, 59, is by far the most experienced astronaut from the original Artemis Team.After studying engineering at Harvard University and the University of Texas, Wilson joined NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in 1992.She is a veteran of three spaceflights aboard the shuttle and has logged more than 42 days in space.In fact, Wilson would have had more experience were it not for the infamous failure of the Boeing Starliner capsule in 2024.NASA had announced that she would fly as a mission specialist on the SpaceX Crew–9 mission, but Ms Wilson gave up her spot to make room for the safe return of the stranded Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams. Stephanie Wilson: The longest–serving astronaut in the 2020 'Artemis Team', having been selected as an astronaut in 1996That might mean Wilson is due a chance to push NASA's human exploration missions to the next level.Victor GloverAlthough he might seem like an unusual inclusion on the list, Victor Glover, 50, is still in the running to lead the next Artemis mission.Glover is an experienced NASA astronaut who famously served as pilot on NASA's Artemis II mission.NASA actually has no rule against re–using astronauts across its various moon missions.In fact, during the Apollo era, NASA reused several crew members across multiple launches, with four astronauts having travelled to the moon twice.This means there is nothing to prevent Glover from serving on another Artemis mission if NASA thinks he has what it takes.That could be important because Glover is currently the only person with experience actually piloting the Orion crew capsule. Victor Glover: Although Glover flew with Artemis II, there is nothing preventing NASA from using him again, and his experience could be vital During Artemis II, Glover flew the craft through the Proximity Operations Demonstration, which was designed to simulate the moves needed to dock with a lunar landing system.Rather than using a separate lander or space station, the Artemis II crew used the spent Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage (ICPS) as a target.However, these complex manoeuvres are the exact same set of operations that the pilot of Artemis III will use to dock with the SpaceX and Blue Origin landers. Thanks to that vital experience, Glover is probably the best person in the world to put Orion through its paces during Artemis III's test docking.WHO HAS BEEN TO THE MOON?In total 12 people have walked on the moon.1 + 2. Apollo 11 - July 21, 1969Neil Armstrong made history by becoming the first person to set foot on the lunar surface, before he he was followed by crewmate Edwin 'Buzz' Aldrin.3 + 4. Apollo 12 - November 19 and 20, 1969Pete Conrad and Alan Bean were the moon walkers on the Apollo 12 mission. The Apollo 12 crew experienced two lightning strikes just after their Saturn V rocket launched.5 + 6. Apollo 14 - February 5, 1971 Alan Shepard and Edgar Mitchell were part of the Apollo 14 mission. They launched on January 31, 1971, and landed in the Fra Mauro region of the moon, the original destination for Apollo 13.7 + 8. Apollo 15 - July 31, 1971Dave Scott and James Irwin landed on the moon and stayed for three days, until August 2. 9 + 10. Apollo 16 - April 21, 1972John Young and Charlie Duke were the next men to walk on the moon. When the crew reached lunar orbit, the mission almost had to be aborted because of a problem with the command and service module's main engine.11 + 12. Apollo 17 - December 11, 1972The final people to walk on the moon were Eugene (Gene) Cernan and Harrison (Jack) Schmitt. Before he left the moon, Cernan scratched the initials of his daughter Tracy into the lunar regolith. Since the moon does not experience weather conditions like wind or rain to erode anything away, her initials should stay there for a very long time. All the men who have been to the moon