NASA has announced the four astronauts selected for the Artemis III mission, marking the next major phase in the agency’s long-term lunar exploration program.
The crew includes commander Randy Bresnik, pilot Luca Parmitano, mission specialist Frank Rubio and mission specialist Andre Douglas.
Bresnik, a veteran NASA astronaut, praised the Artemis II astronauts and said the new team was honored to continue their work.
Parmitano, an Italian astronaut representing the European Space Agency, previously became the first Italian commander of the International Space Station.
Rubio, a US Army helicopter pilot and experienced astronaut, joins the mission as a mission specialist.
Douglas, who previously worked as a test engineer and Coast Guard Reserve commander, will make his first trip to space during Artemis III.
The Artemis III mission is scheduled for 2027 and will focus on testing systems needed for future moon landings.
NASA plans to use the mission to test docking maneuvers and lunar lander systems while orbiting Earth.
