# Artemis III will stress-test spacecraft operations, docking procedures, and crew coordination.

*aerospace · news · 2026-05-13 · Interesting Engineering*

## Key points

- NASA has redefined Artemis III as an Earth-orbit rehearsal rather than a lunar mission.
- Artemis III will place Orion astronauts in low Earth orbit alongside Blue Origin and SpaceX lunar landers.
- The interim cryogenic propulsion stage is being replaced with a non-propulsive structural spacer on SLS.
- NASA may test docking, heat shields, CubeSat deployments, and Axiom Space suits during Artemis III.
- The mission will operate without the Deep Space Network, requiring alternative communications solutions.

**Companies:** Blue Origin, SpaceX
**Countries:** United States

[Read the full story on Interesting Engineering](https://interestingengineering.com/space/nasa-artemis-iii-orion-spacex-docking)

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