NASA Replaces Artemis 3 Upper Stage with Spacer, Delaying Moon Landing to Artemis 4
NASA confirmed on May 13, 2026, that the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket for the Artemis 3 mission will fly without a functioning upper stage. Instead of the Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage (ICPS), the rocket will carry an inert structural spacer. This modification signifies that Artemis 3 will no longer attempt a lunar landing but will instead operate in low Earth orbit as a complex rendezvous and docking exercise involving the Orion spacecraft and pathfinder landers from Blue Origin and SpaceX. The actual goal of returning Americans to the lunar surface has officially shifted to the Artemis 4 mission, scheduled for 2028. The unused ICPS from Artemis 3 will be repurposed for Artemis 4. This strategic restructuring acknowledges technical delays, particularly regarding Starship's orbital refueling capabilities and the unflown status of the Blue Moon Mark 2. By converting Artemis 3 into a high-fidelity rehearsal, NASA aims to validate multi-spacecraft coordination and mitigate the risk of indefinite delays, ensuring a more viable path toward future lunar surface operations.
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