Artemis III Docking Demonstration
Before astronauts ride a lander to the Moon, Orion must prove it can rendezvous and dock with human landing systems in space. Here is how Artemis III tests that with Blue Origin and SpaceX hardware.
Docking Demo at a Glance
What Is the Docking Demonstration?
A crewed dress rehearsal for the interfaces a Moon landing depends on.
Artemis III is a crewed test flight whose central objective is to demonstrate rendezvous and docking between the Orion spacecraft and human landing system (HLS) test articles in space. Rather than landing on the Moon, the crew connects Orion to test versions of the Blue Origin and SpaceX landers and exercises the integrated hardware - system interfaces, software, propulsion, and communications. Proving these operations with a crew aboard is the last major milestone before the Artemis IV lunar landing in 2028.
The Two Landing Systems
NASA tests hardware from both commercial providers on a single mission.
Blue Moon
Blue OriginOrion rendezvous and docks with Blue Origin's Blue Moon human landing system test article and stays connected for about two days, testing the integrated hardware and interfaces between the two spacecraft.
Starship HLS
SpaceXOrion connects with SpaceX's Starship human landing system test article for about a day, validating docking, software, propulsion, and communications interfaces under crewed conditions.
Docking Demonstration Timeline
The sequence of rendezvous and docking operations during the mission.
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Day 1
Launch & Orbit Insertion
SLS launches Orion and the crew into space, where they perform initial checkout of Orion's systems before approaching the landing-system test articles.
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Days 2-4
Blue Moon Rendezvous & Docking
Orion approaches Blue Origin's Blue Moon test article, executes the rendezvous and docking sequence, and remains docked for about two days of integrated hardware testing.
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Days 5-6
Starship Rendezvous & Docking
Orion separates, rendezvous with SpaceX's Starship test article, and docks for about a day to validate interfaces, software, propulsion, and communications.
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Days 6-12
Integrated Systems Tests
The crew runs additional integrated tests across the docked configurations, retiring technical risk for the Artemis IV crewed landing.
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~Day 14
Return & Splashdown
Orion departs, re-enters Earth's atmosphere, and splashes down in the Pacific Ocean to conclude the roughly two-week mission.
Why Docking Comes Before Landing
The risks this mission retires.
Proven Interfaces
A real landing mission requires Orion and the lander to mate, transfer crew, and operate as one integrated vehicle. Artemis III proves those interfaces work in space.
Two Providers, Less Risk
Testing both Blue Moon and Starship hardware reduces dependence on any single system and gives NASA flexibility for future landings.
Crewed Validation
Demonstrating docking with astronauts aboard - not just in simulation - is the highest-fidelity test short of an actual landing.
Clearing the Path to Artemis IV
With docking proven, the program can commit to the first crewed lunar south-pole landing on Artemis IV in 2028.
Docking Demonstration FAQ
Common questions about the Artemis III rendezvous and docking tests.
Track the Full Artemis III Mission
See the complete Artemis III tracker with the crew, mission timeline, latest NASA news, and image gallery.
Go to Artemis III Tracker