NASA has officially announced the Artemis IV mission, scheduled to launch in September 2026, marking the fourth crewed expedition to lunar orbit and the first to dock with the Gateway lunar space station. The mission will send four astronauts on a 30-day journey to establish critical infrastructure for sustained lunar exploration.

The $7.6 billion mission represents a significant escalation in NASA’s Artemis program capabilities. According to NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, Artemis IV will deliver the I-Hab module to Gateway, providing expanded living quarters and life support systems for future crews conducting extended lunar surface operations.

When Will the Artemis IV Mission Launch?

The mission is targeting a September 15, 2026 launch window from Kennedy Space Center aboard the Space Launch System Block 1B rocket. This upgraded configuration features the Exploration Upper Stage, enabling delivery of both crew and cargo in a single launch. The 30-day mission includes 14 days docked at Gateway in near-rectilinear halo orbit.

What Are the Primary Objectives of This Moon Mission?

Artemis IV will accomplish three critical goals: installing Gateway’s International Habitation module, conducting scientific experiments in deep space, and testing systems required for Artemis V surface landings. The crew will also deploy CubeSats for lunar south pole reconnaissance, identifying optimal landing sites for future missions targeting water ice deposits in permanently shadowed craters.