NASA Expands Artemis Cadence with Near-Earth Test and Standardized SLS

NASA unveiled an updated Artemis plan to raise mission cadence, standardize the SLS rocket, and add a 2027 near-Earth test mission before crewed lunar operations. Artemis II is targeted for around-the-Moon activity in 2026–27 (with a 10‑day crewed flight), followed by Artemis III in 2027 to test rendezvous with private landers, Artemis IV in early 2028 for a lunar landing using a commercial lander, and Artemis V by late 2028 to establish a Moon base, all while retiring the Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage in favor of a new second stage and abandoning the Exploration Upper Stage and Mobile Launcher 2. NASA aims for roughly one lunar mission per year thereafter."