Artemis IV

Mission Profile

Prime Contractors

Companies that built, launched, or operate this mission. Tickers link to their investor profile.

• SpaceX
• LMTLockheed Martin
• NOCNorthrop Grumman
• Maxar Technologies
• BABoeing

Overview

Artemis IV is planned as the first SLS Block 1B mission and the first to deliver a permanent crew rotation to the Lunar Gateway, the small space station NASA, ESA, JAXA, and CSA are jointly building in near-rectilinear halo orbit around the Moon. The mission's launch will use the upgraded Exploration Upper Stage (EUS), increasing co-manifested payload mass to TLI from ~26 t to ~38 t. On this flight, that capacity is dedicated to the I-Hab habitation module, a roughly 8-tonne pressurized element jointly built by ESA and JAXA that bolts onto the Gateway alongside the HALO and PPE modules launched earlier. After docking with Gateway, two crew members will descend to the surface using a second SpaceX Starship HLS, while the others remain on Gateway for a multi-week tended stay. NASA also plans to demonstrate ESA's European Refueler module and validate Gateway's long-duration life-support performance. Artemis IV represents the architectural pivot from the Apollo-style 'flag and footprints' of Artemis III to a sustained cislunar presence with regular crew rotations, science operations, and pre-positioned cargo for surface infrastructure.

Key Milestones

1. 2020-12-09

   NASA confirms Gateway as part of Artemis architecture

2. 2022-07-06

   Northrop Grumman awarded HALO module contract

3. 2024-04-05

   ESA-JAXA I-Hab module preliminary design review

4. TBD

   PPE/HALO co-launched on Falcon Heavy (Gateway initial assembly)

5. TBD ~2028

   Artemis IV launch — I-Hab delivery + crewed landing

Related Missions

Sources

1. NASA — Lunar Gateway
2. ESA — I-Hab
3. JAXA — Gateway International Habitation Module