Artemis II, the second launch in NASA's program to establish a sustainable human presence on the moon by 2028, is scheduled to deploy three robots to the lunar surface next year. These robots will utilize cameras and ground-penetrating radar to create a comprehensive 3D map of the moon's terrain.
As part of NASA's Cooperative Autonomous Distributed Robotic Exploration (CADRE) project, the rovers receive instructions from a base station located on the 13ft-tall lander that transports them to the moon. In 2024, they are expected to reach the moon aboard a lander and then be carefully deployed onto the Reiner Gamma region using tethers.
Artemis I, an unmanned mission, was launched on November 16, 2022. Artemis II will carry a crew of four astronauts alongside the three robots. Looking ahead to Artemis III in 2025, the mission aims to safely land crew members on the lunar surface. Furthermore, Artemis IV, planned for 2028, intends to establish a connection with the Lunar Gateway, a space station orbiting the moon. Subsequent annual moon landings are anticipated as preparations continue for a future mission to Mars.
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