Return to the Moon: Discover the 5 stages of the Artemis Mission
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A mission Artemis It is the most ambitious project of NASAThe American space agency, which aims to return humans to the Moon after more than 50 years, has a five-stage plan involving complex technological tests, high costs, and significant risks. Its ambition is not only to land on the moon again, but also to establish a permanent presence there with the installation of the first lunar base. Understand each stage:
What is the Artemis program?
O Artemis Program It is a human spaceflight program developed by NASA and international partners, with the goal of returning humans to the Moon. The agency intends to include the first woman and the first Black man in the crew. The program has the long-term goal of establishing an American presence on the Moon, creating the foundation for private companies to build a lunar economy and eventually send humans to Mars.
Name Artemis It refers to Apollo's twin sister in Greek mythology. It symbolizes the continuity of the Apollo program, which successfully took a total of 12 American astronauts to the Moon between 1969 and 1972.
To ensure that lunar exploration was conducted ethically, an agreement was created with basic rules. The Agreement Artemis was created by NASA, in coordination with the U.S. Department of State, and officially launched on October 13, 2020. It arose from the need to establish a common framework for civilian cooperation in the exploration of the Moon, Mars, and other celestial bodies in the 21st century.
Like Outer Space Treaty of 1967 It's too generic for current technologies, the Artemis Accord It functions as a practical guide to avoid conflicts. It ensures mutual assistance among astronauts and promotes the sustainable use of space resources. It serves as a basis for humanity's return to the lunar surface.
The project initially included eight founding countries: United States, Australia, Canada, United Arab Emirates, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, and the United Kingdom.. O Brazil formalized its membership in June 15th, 2021Brazil has become the 12th global signatory and the first nation in Latin America to participate. This strategic partnership positions Brazilian science at the center of discussions on space technology, opening doors for national companies and researchers to collaborate in cutting-edge areas such as robotics and satellite systems, integrating the country into a global innovation chain. The fundamental principles governing this commitment are:
- Space resources: sustainable extraction and use of resources in accordance with international law;
- Peaceful purposesActivities carried out exclusively for non-military purposes.
- TransparencyPublic dissemination of space plans and policies;
- Interoperability: use of common technical standards for systems and equipment;
- Emergency Assistance: commitment to provide assistance to astronauts in danger;
- Scientific DataOpen sharing of findings with the global community;
- Heritage Preservation: protection of sites and artifacts of historical value in space.
The program is scheduled to take place in 5 stages from the Artemis missionThe first phase was completed in November 2022, and the second began in April 2026. See what is planned for each phase:
Mission schedule
Artemis I
The mission Artemis I, Completed in 2022, it was the technological foundation that allowed the return of manned flights to deep space. The biggest breakthrough was the validation of the rocket. SLS, the most powerful ever built, and the capsule Orion, which traveled over 2 million kilometers and broke the distance record for a spacecraft designed for humans. During the 25-day test, sensors monitored radiation and vibration levels, providing critical data to ensure the safety of astronauts currently in space.
Another key milestone was the testing of the heat shield during reentry into Earth's atmosphere. Orion withstood temperatures of 2.800°C Upon reaching speeds of 40.000 km/h, the mission proved that the protection technology is capable of bringing the crew back safely. Furthermore, the mission released ten small satellites (CubeSats) for scientific research, expanding knowledge about the presence of lunar ice and the solar radiation environment even before human landing.
These technical successes were what made the launch of the possible. Artemis II, which took place in April 2026. With the life support and long-range communication systems duly tested in the first mission, the NASA and their partners were able to safely send the current crew into orbit around the Moon.
The success of the Artemis I He transformed theoretical concepts into practical reality, paving the way for the next big step: landing on the lunar surface. See the... Artemis I mission page Visit NASA's official website for all the details.
Artemis II
A Artemis IIThe latest endeavor of the American space agency, is the first manned mission of the program focused on lunar orbit. Although landing on the surface is not yet the objective of this stage, its historical significance is undeniable: on April 6, 2026, the crew achieved a milestone by observing the far side of our natural satellite up close.
In addition to serving as a crucial test for future lunar landings, the mission captured new images that promise to significantly expand our knowledge of the Moon.
Currently, the four experienced astronauts (three Americans and one Canadian) are already on their way back to Earth, with arrival scheduled between April 9th and 10th. The Orion capsule features several innovations, including its own toilet system, a significant advancement since previously physiological needs were met in plastic bags. The landing will take place in the Pacific Ocean, preparing the ground for the next mission, which should finally touch down on the lunar surface in 2028.
NASA released 8K photos from the flight close to the dark side of the Moon. And we showcase them all in a special feature, be sure to check it out. And you can find more details about the... Artemis II on NASA's official website.
Artemis III
Being the second crewed mission of the program and already scheduled for launch in 2027, the Artemis III It will be used for space testing. The most important point is that two more spacecraft will be launched along with Artemis III: the Starship HLS da SpaceX and Blue Moon da Blue OriginOne of the objectives of this mission is also to test the rendezvous and docking of these spacecraft with the Orion capsule to promote space tourism in the future.
The original idea was to land in the South Polar region of the Moon, but NASA revisited the plans in February 2026 to conduct tests with spacecraft that could segment space tourism in the future and allow for the simultaneous use of more spacecraft. They will also test the propulsion, life support, and communication systems of the landing modules, and test the new spacesuits that will be used on the Moon, the Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU).
More than just a scientific research trip, the Artemis III It has a long-term focused purpose. More details about Artemis III should be released in early 2027, so be sure to follow along. mission page on NASA's website.
Artemis IV
A Artemis IVThe third crewed mission of the program will bring a double advancement: it will combine the exploration of the lunar surface with the expansion of the infrastructure of the GatewayThe new space station that will orbit the Moon is projected to launch in early 2028, although a specific date has not yet been set.
NASA announced that it will explore the South Pole region of the Moon, conducting new scientific experiments before returning to lunar orbit to join the crew on the return trip to Earth, with two crew members expected to spend some time working there.
For everything to work in sync, the team will need to split up. While two astronauts will descend to the lunar South Pole to conduct intensive research, the other two will remain in the Orion capsule. The idea is that the tests will serve as a foundation for building a hub that could act as a pit stop on future trips to Mars. See mission updates on the website. Mission Artemis IV.
Artemis V
With all the features integrated, the Gateway, whose manned occupation and structural expansion begin in Artemis IVThe capsule will then act as a true "transfer point". Orion It will arrive from Earth and dock at the orbital station; from there, the crew will transfer to the lunar landing module. The idea is that this mission will be put into practice by the end of 2028.
This logistical approach of using the station as a safe haven before descending to the surface is a gigantic leap forward in how we navigate space. With the station already habitable and operating autonomously, the planning of Artemis V It focuses on consolidating our presence, including the integration of the refueling and communications module (ESPRITThe station will act as an advanced supply base, storing parts, equipment, oxygen, and fuel to support increasingly longer stays by humanity in the lunar environment.
The expectation for this phase is to use Gateway's infrastructure to facilitate sending more robust exploration vehicles and heavy equipment to the surface of the South Pole. With advanced rovers on the ground and continuous logistical support from the orbital station, astronauts will be able to move much further away from the landing site, optimizing the search for natural resources.
A Artemis V This marks the moment when human presence ceases to be an isolated event and becomes anchored by a sustainable support network. The entire experience of coordinating a deep-water orbital station with intense surface activities will serve as the ultimate training ground for humanity's most ambitious leap: mastering the technology necessary to send the first explorers to Mars. More details are expected to be released in the coming years. Artemis V mission page on NASA's website.
Eyes on the future: the path to Mars
With its vision focused on the next big leap, the NASA It treats the Moon as the ultimate laboratory for Martian exploration. Establishing a lunar base will allow for the improvement of vital technologies, such as building habitats resistant to space radiation and generating energy in extreme temperatures.
The central objective is to master the local production of supplies, such as water extraction and oxygen generation, eliminating the impractical need to transport all essential resources from Earth for the long journey to the Red Planet.
In addition to resource production, the proximity to the Moon, about a three-day journey away, offers a safe environment for critical testing. On a mission to Mars, the journey takes months and makes any quick rescue in case of emergency impossible. Therefore, the infrastructure built during the program... Artemisincluding the orbital station GatewayIt will serve as the practical prototype for interplanetary transit vehicles, testing the physical and psychological resilience of astronauts on long-duration missions in the isolation of deep space.
Competition from China
The science fiction of the series For All Mankind This illustrates an intense space race, a scenario that finds a direct parallel in current reality. If in the 1960s and 1970s the rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union defined who would be the first to set foot on the Moon, today the race to return to the natural satellite has China as the main competitor to the Americans.
In recent years, the Chinese space program has accumulated significant successes, sending robots and exploration vehicles to the lunar surface. The Asian country has set the ambitious goal of landing astronauts on the Moon by 2030, using this achievement as a springboard for its next major focus: Mars.
On the American side, the momentum gained strength with the government's guidelines. Donald Trump, which laid the groundwork for the human return to the Moon (now aligned for 2028 with the Artemis IV) and the creation of a permanent base by the end of the decade. Beyond geopolitical prestige, this new race has a strong economic driver. The lunar surface harbors large concentrations of helium-3, an isotope with enormous potential for fueling compact, long-lasting nuclear reactors.
Added to this are other strategic resources, such as water in its solid state, which can be converted into rocket fuel, and rare earth metals, such as lithium and platinum, essential for the clean technology industry. Since China currently dominates the terrestrial market for these minerals, lunar exploration has become a geopolitical red flag for the US. The economic potential is incalculable: helium-3, for example, is valued at around US$20 per gram (approximately R$103), ranking among the most valuable substances known.
What do you expect from the next missions of NASA For a return to the Moon? Tell us in the comments! Comment!
See also:
Text revised by Alexandre Marques in 07 / 04 / 2026.
With information: NASA (1, 2 e 3)l Explore Deep Space
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