Artemis Program
Discovery, Exploration
1996 - 2008 CE
The Artemis program was the second lunar exploration program operated by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), begun as a NASA-exclusive operation in 1996 but was expanded into the International Lunar Exploration (Artemis-ILE) program in 2001. The program spanned 12 years in total, from 1996 to 2008, with the first crewed flight in early 2004. The program completed 12 missions, 11 of these crewed and all successful. The program was the final step toward establishing a permanent surface base on Luna, by building the International Lunar Research Station in lunar orbit to provide a reliable gateway to lunar operations.
Program Timeline
1996
Oct. 14
Artemis program announced
2001
Jun. 20
Artemis expanded into Artemis-ILE program
2004
Mar. 27
Artemis I mission launched to Lunar orbit (uncrewed Jupiter launch system test)
Apr. 4
Artemis I mission returns to Earth, crewed flight is greenlit
Aug. 12
Artemis II mission launched to Luna
Aug. 24
Artemis II mission returns to Earth
2005
Mar. 22
Artemis III mission launched to Luna
Mar. 26
International Lunar Research Station constructed around Luna
Apr. 3
Artemis III mission returns to Earth
Jul. 31
Artemis IV mission launched to Luna
Aug. 11
Artemis IV mission returns to Earth
Dec. 7
Artemis V mission launched to Luna
Dec. 19
Artemis V mission returns to Earth
2006
Jan. 1
Artemis VI mission launched to Luna
Jan. 13
Artemis VI mission returns to Earth
May 10
Artemis VII mission launched to Luna
May 22
Artemis VII mission returns to Earth
Sept. 17
Artemis VIII mission launched to Luna
Sept. 29
Artemis VIII mission returns to Earth
2007
Jan. 25
Artemis IX mission launched to Luna
Feb. 6
Artemis IX mission returns to Earth
Jun. 4
Artemis X mission launched to Luna
Jun. 16
Artemis X mission returns to Earth
Oct. 12
Artemis XI mission launched to Luna
Oct. 24
Artemis XI mission returns to Earth
2008
Feb. 19
Artemis XII mission launched to Luna
Mar. 3
Artemis XII mission returns to Earth