Artemis III Lunar Crew Final Selection: Everything We Know as of March 2026
Quick Summary
As of March 14, 2026, NASA has finalized the four-person crew for the historic Artemis III mission, which will return humanity to the Moon. The crew features a dynamic mix of veteran astronauts and ground-breaking pioneers. Commander Raja Chari will lead the mission, alongside Pilot Anne McClain. Making history, Jessica Watkins has been selected as the first woman and first person of color to walk on the lunar surface, joined by Mission Specialist and medical officer Dr. Jonny Kim. Launch is currently slated for late 2026, pending final certification of the SpaceX Starship Human Landing System (HLS) and Axiom Space's lunar suits.
Key Questions & Expert Answers (Updated: 2026-03-14)
If you're tracking the latest developments on the Artemis program, here are the immediate answers to the web's most pressing questions today.
Who will be the first woman and person of color on the Moon?
Jessica Watkins. A geologist by training and a veteran of a 170-day stay on the International Space Station (ISS), Watkins brings critical scientific expertise to the lunar surface. Her deep background in planetary geology makes her uniquely qualified to conduct surface sampling at the lunar South Pole.
When is Artemis III scheduled to launch?
Currently, NASA is targeting Q4 2026 for the launch of Artemis III. However, internal reviews from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and recent uncrewed Starship test flights suggest a slip into early 2027 remains highly possible, heavily dependent on the in-orbit refueling tests of the Starship HLS scheduled for later this year.
Who is the Commander of Artemis III?
Raja Chari has been selected to command the mission. With an extensive background as an Air Force test pilot and having previously commanded the SpaceX Crew-3 mission to the ISS, Chari has the ideal operational profile to navigate the complex docking maneuvers required between the Orion spacecraft and the Starship HLS.
Will all four crew members walk on the Moon?
No. Similar to the Apollo missions, two crew members—Jessica Watkins and Jonny Kim—will transfer to the Starship HLS and descend to the lunar surface for an estimated 6.5-day stay. Commander Raja Chari and Pilot Anne McClain will remain in the Orion spacecraft in Near-Rectilinear Halo Orbit (NRHO) to monitor systems and prepare for the return journey.
Meet the Artemis III Crew
The selection of the Artemis III crew is a watershed moment in space exploration. NASA's astronaut corps has evolved significantly since the Apollo era, and the Artemis III roster reflects a profound blend of scientific acumen, piloting expertise, and diverse backgrounds.
1. Commander Raja Chari
Raja Chari, a U.S. Air Force colonel, has a resume tailored for deep-space command. Selected as an astronaut in 2017, Chari commanded NASA's SpaceX Crew-3 mission in 2021. His experience as an F-35 test pilot equips him with the precise technical skills required to oversee the rendezvous and docking of the Orion capsule with the towering SpaceX Starship HLS in a challenging halo orbit.
2. Pilot Anne McClain
Anne McClain, a senior Army aviator and engineer, spent 204 days in space during Expeditions 58 and 59. She has conducted two spacewalks (EVAs) and is renowned for her operational rigor. As the Pilot of Artemis III, McClain will serve as Chari’s right hand in navigating the Orion spacecraft, ensuring the life support and trajectory systems operate flawlessly while the landing party is on the surface.
3. Mission Specialist 1 (Lunar Surface) Jessica Watkins
Jessica Watkins' assignment to the lunar surface is a massive win for planetary science. Holding a doctorate in geology, Watkins was a collaborator on the Mars Curiosity rover team before joining NASA. Because Artemis III is targeting the rugged, permanently shadowed regions of the lunar South Pole—areas believed to harbor ancient water ice—Watkins' geological expertise will be crucial in selecting the most valuable core samples to bring back to Earth.
4. Mission Specialist 2 (Lunar Surface) Dr. Jonny Kim
Dr. Jonny Kim’s profile is arguably one of the most remarkable in modern NASA history. A former Navy SEAL combat veteran, a Harvard-trained physician, and an accomplished aviator, Kim provides the ultimate contingency insurance for the mission. While on the lunar surface with Watkins, Kim will oversee the physiological health of the crew in a high-radiation, micro-gravity environment, while also executing surface experiments.
Mission Architecture: Getting to the South Pole
The complexity of Artemis III far exceeds the Apollo missions. Rather than a single launch vehicle carrying both the command module and the lander, Artemis III relies on a multi-launch, multi-vehicle architecture.
- The Launch: The crew will launch from Kennedy Space Center atop the Space Launch System (SLS) Block 1 rocket inside the Orion spacecraft.
- The Lander: Concurrently, SpaceX is launching its Starship Human Landing System (HLS). The HLS must be fueled in Earth orbit by a series of Starship tanker flights before it translates to lunar orbit.
- The Rendezvous: Orion and Starship HLS will meet in a Near-Rectilinear Halo Orbit (NRHO) around the Moon. Watkins and Kim will transfer into the HLS.
- The Suits: On the surface, the astronauts will wear the new Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU). Unlike the bulky Apollo suits, the AxEMU offers enhanced mobility, allowing astronauts to kneel, bend, and traverse the challenging South Pole terrain with relative ease.
Landing Site: Shackleton Crater
As of our March 2026 update, NASA has narrowed the landing zones to the rim of Shackleton Crater and the connecting Malapert Massif. These locations are prioritized due to their continuous sunlight (essential for solar power and thermal regulation) juxtaposed with deep, permanently shadowed craters that act as cold traps for billions of years of volatile chemicals and water ice.
Training and Preparation in 2026
With the crew now officially locked in, the training regimen has shifted from general Artemis readiness to mission-specific simulations.
At the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) in Houston, Watkins and Kim are spending hours underwater testing the latest iterations of the AxEMU suits. They are practicing deploying surface science instruments and utilizing new geological tools designed specifically for the icy regolith of the South Pole.
Meanwhile, Chari and McClain are engaged in high-fidelity simulations of the Orion systems, specifically focusing on the critical docking procedures with Starship, dealing with simulated communication blackouts, and managing life support anomalies.
Future Outlook: The Road to Launch
The announcement of the Artemis III crew injects massive momentum into the global space sector. However, the timeline remains tight. Over the next six to eight months, the aerospace community will be closely watching two major milestones:
- SpaceX's In-Orbit Propellant Transfer Test: Starship must prove it can reliably transfer cryogenic liquid methane and oxygen between ships in low Earth orbit. Without this, the HLS cannot reach the Moon.
- Axiom Space Suit Certification: The AxEMU suits must pass final vacuum chamber and thermal testing at NASA's Johnson Space Center.
If these milestones are met in 2026, humanity is on track to witness its first steps on the Moon in over half a century. More importantly, this mission lays the groundwork for the Lunar Gateway space station (Artemis IV and beyond) and, ultimately, human missions to Mars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did it take until 2026 to announce the crew?
Crew selection for high-risk missions is typically finalized 18 to 24 months prior to launch. With Artemis II flying recently and the Artemis III hardware (specifically the HLS) experiencing developmental delays, NASA aligned the crew announcement with the finalized vehicle certification timeline to ensure the chosen astronauts trained on near-final hardware.
How long will the astronauts stay on the Moon?
The surface team will spend approximately 6.5 days on the Moon. During this time, they are expected to conduct up to four spacewalks (EVAs), collect geological samples, and deploy scientific instruments.
Is there an international astronaut on Artemis III?
While the European Space Agency (ESA), JAXA, and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) are heavy contributors to the Artemis program (with a Canadian on Artemis II), the Artemis III surface mission crew is entirely composed of NASA astronauts. International partners are slated for Artemis IV and V.
What will the crew eat on the lunar surface?
Astronauts will eat a modernized version of space rations, utilizing a new food warming system within the Starship HLS. Their diet includes thermostabilized, irradiated, and freeze-dried foods, specifically tailored to their individual metabolic needs by NASA nutritionists.
Can the public watch the Artemis III moonwalk live?
Yes. The Starship HLS and the AxEMU spacesuits are equipped with high-definition and 4K cameras. NASA plans to broadcast the lunar surface EVAs live, providing unprecedented clarity compared to the grainy footage of the Apollo era.