Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleThe crew is expected to remain in space for about two weeks (AFP/Getty)NASA has named a four-person crew for its upcoming Artemis III mission, consisting of three U.S. astronauts and one from Italy.The crew includes Randy Bresnik as mission commander, Andre Douglas and Frank Rubio as mission specialists, and Luca Parmitano as pilot, with Bob Hines designated as a backup crew member.Scheduled for 2027, this mission will undertake challenging tests in Earth orbit, which are vital preparations for Artemis IV, the first planned crewed mission to the lunar South Pole in 2028.This announcement is notable as it marks the first time an astronaut from the European Space Agency (ESA) has been assigned to an Artemis mission.The astronauts will immediately commence training on Orion spacecraft systems and contribute to the development and operations of test versions for Blue Origin and SpaceX lunar landers.In fullArtemis III crew: Nasa names four astronauts for next moon program missionThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

It's a long list, but there are some front runners.

NASA names the crew for 2027’s Artemis III Earth orbit mission testing Orion docking with Blue Origin and SpaceX landers ahead of future moon landing missions.

The crew of four — NASA astronaut and commander Randy Bresnik, European Space Agency pilot Luca Parmitano, NASA mission specialists Frank Rubio and Andre Douglas — are scheduled…

The Artemis 3 crew poses for an official portrait. From left to right: Andre Douglas, Luca Parmitano, Randy Bresnik, Frank Rubio. Image: NASA/Bill Stafford.

NASA is set to reveal the astronauts selected for the Artemis III mission, which aims to advance plans for future lunar landings and Mars exploration.

NASA's Artemis III astronauts plan to carry out rendezvous and docking procedures with commercial moon landers being built by SpaceX and Blue Origin.

NASA’s Artemis III crew includes three NASA astronauts and one European Space Agency astronaut

The crew is expected to launch to Earth orbit next year to conduct demonstrations with one or both of the lunar landers that SpaceX and Blue Origin are building.

It'll be a key test flight before landing on the Moon.

Artemis III is the final mission planned before NASA attempts to land astronauts on the lunar surface in 2028.

NASA announced the four astronauts that will join the next Artemis mission — a test flight vital to putting astronauts back on the surface of the moon for the first time in more…

The next mission won’t involve a moonshot

NEW YORK (AP) — NASA on Tuesday revealed the crew for its Artemis III mission, the next step in the space agency's plan to eventually land astronauts on the moon.

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The quartet will fly to Earth orbit next year to test docking techniques and procedures ahead of a planned moon landing in 2028.

NASA has unveiled the four astronauts chosen for a key moon mission, but the Artemis III crew selection has drawn criticism from the public.

Artemis III will launch in 2027 and test key systems and operations needed before astronauts attempt a lunar landing on Artemis IV in 2028.

The crew will orbit Earth while practising docking their Orion capsule with two lunar landers.

NASA reveals Artemis III crew, advancing its Moon return plan. SpaceX and Blue Origin race to build landers ahead of 2027 test mission and 2028 landing.

Artemis 3 is suddenly feeling very real.