Artemis IV: the planned return of astronauts to the lunar surface

NASA currently presents Artemis IV as an early 2028 mission target. The date remains subject to the normal realities of human spaceflight: hardware readiness, safety reviews, testing, partner systems and launch availability.

NASA has not published a firm launch day. Lander readiness, integrated testing and safety decisions will determine the final schedule.

Artemis IV is planned as the crewed lunar surface return mission. It is expected to send astronauts to lunar orbit, support descent to the surface and allow surface operations near the Moon South Pole region. That would make it one of the most watched space events of the modern era.

The mission is not only symbolic. The South Pole region is scientifically valuable because of lighting conditions, permanently shadowed areas and the possibility of accessible water ice. Those factors matter for science, future habitation and longer-term lunar operations.

NASA public material describes an extended surface mission near the lunar South Pole rather than a brief Apollo-style stop. The expected surface stay is commonly described as about a week, allowing more time for science, exploration, systems checks and operational learning.

Two crew members would remain in Orion while the surface pair descends in a commercial lander. NASA describes approximately a week of surface science near the South Pole.

NASA has not announced an Artemis IV crew. The four-person crew is expected to launch aboard Orion on SLS. The landing pair would transfer to a commercial lander in lunar orbit.

NASA has identified candidate regions near the lunar South Pole but has not selected a final landing site. Terrain, sunlight, communications and science opportunities all matter.