Artemis III Crew Announced: NASA and ESA Astronauts Selected for Lunar Mission
NASA has officially announced the crew for its upcoming Artemis III mission, marking another milestone in the agency's lunar exploration program.
The four selected astronauts include NASA astronauts Andre Douglas, Randy Bresnik, and Frank Rubio, alongside European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Luca Parmitano. The crew was announced on June 9, 2026, and represents an international collaboration for the lunar mission.
Artemis III is planned as a mission in low Earth orbit that will serve as a critical test bed for integrated operations between the Orion spacecraft and one or more additional components. This testing phase is essential for validating the systems and procedures that will ultimately support future lunar surface operations.
The selection of both NASA and ESA astronauts highlights the continued international partnerships that have become a cornerstone of modern space exploration efforts.