NASA Plans Orbital Rehearsal for Lunar Landings with Commercial Partners

NASA is preparing for future crewed Moon landings by scheduling an orbital rehearsal during the Artemis III demonstration mission in 2027. Astronauts aboard the Orion spacecraft will practice rendezvous and docking procedures with prototype lunar landers from both Blue Origin and SpaceX in low Earth orbit. This crucial mission aims to test complex maneuvers and collect vital data to enhance astronaut safety and mitigate risks for subsequent lunar landings, which are slated to commence in 2028.