Artemis is NASA’s return to the moon. Why astronauts won’t land there just yet

NASA's Artemis program aims to return astronauts to the moon, but the initial missions will not include a lunar landing. The program represents a significant step toward renewed human exploration of the lunar surface after a decades-long hiatus since the Apollo era. Early Artemis missions are designed to test life support systems, spacecraft capabilities, and operational procedures in lunar orbit before attempting a crewed landing. This phased approach allows NASA to validate critical technologies and reduce risk before committing astronauts to surface operations. Subsequent missions in the Artemis sequence will eventually land crews on the moon, making the early orbital phases essential stepping stones toward that goal.