NASA moves lunar docking to Earth orbit for 2028 Moon landing

Astronauts may return to the lunar surface in 2028 under a revised architecture that moves critical docking maneuvers closer to Earth. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration detailed this shift during a news conference held on Friday, offering the most comprehensive public overview of the Artemis program to date. The agency confirmed that a crewed landing remains the primary objective, with the timeline holding steady at 2028.

The core change involves SpaceX’s Starship vehicle. Previously, the plan required the Orion spacecraft to dock with the Starship lander in a specific orbit around the Moon. Under the new protocol, Orion will meet the Starship in high-Earth orbit. Once connected, the combined spacecraft will travel toward the Moon. This adjustment reduces the energy requirements for the mission, a factor that has long complicated the trajectory planning for the lunar lander.

Blue Origin is pursuing a distinct path with its New Glenn rocket and Blue Moon lander. The company’s design relies on four separate launches, none of which require refueling one spacecraft from another. This architecture allows for greater flexibility in orbital mechanics. Blue Origin officials have left open the possibility that the Blue Moon lander could rendezvous with Orion in low-lunar orbit, though this configuration is not yet final.

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman expressed confidence in the agency’s ability to meet these milestones. He stated that the current trajectory is achievable and that the agency possesses the necessary mandate, resources, and stakeholder support to execute the plan. Isaacman emphasized that leadership has reviewed every element of the program to facilitate the work of the lunar lander contractors.

The immediate next step is the Artemis III mission, currently scheduled for summer 2027. This flight will serve as a critical demonstration, testing the docking capabilities of both the Blue Moon and Starship vehicles in proximity to Earth. The Artemis IV mission, which targets the first crewed landing on the lunar surface since the Apollo era, remains on track for 2028.

The revision of the Starship docking procedure originated from engineering requests submitted by SpaceX in early 2026. Engineers argued that the previous requirement to dock in a near-rectilinear halo orbit created unnecessary technical challenges. The cancellation of the Lunar Gateway project earlier this year removed the primary dependency for that specific orbit, allowing NASA to accept the alternative plan without delaying other program elements.