NASA's Artemis III mission, planned to land astronauts on the Moon, will require three separate rockets to accomplish what the Apollo program achieved with a single Saturn V. This logistical complexity highlights the differences in mission architecture and the current state of heavy-lift launch capabilities.
The rocket trio for Artemis III
The Artemis III mission relies on three distinct launch vehicles. The Space Launch System (SLS) rocket will carry the Orion crew capsule and its European Service Module into orbit. A second, commercial rocket—likely SpaceX's Starship—will serve as the Human Landing System (HLS) to ferry astronauts from lunar orbit to the surface. A third rocket, possibly a Falcon Heavy or another vehicle, may be needed to deliver additional cargo or support modules.
Why one rocket isn't enough
Apollo's single Saturn V could send the entire spacecraft—command module, service module, and lunar lander—directly to the Moon. The SLS, while powerful, cannot lift both Orion and a separate lander in one go. The chosen HLS, Starship, is too large to fit atop the SLS and requires its own launch. This split approach reflects NASA's decision to use existing and in-development vehicles rather than building a single super-heavy rocket.
Cost and schedule implications
Using multiple rockets increases mission complexity, coordination requirements, and overall cost. Each launch must be timed precisely, and the vehicles must rendezvous in orbit or at the Moon. While this architecture allows for more specialized hardware, it also introduces additional points of failure. NASA aims for Artemis III to launch no earlier than late 2025, though delays are possible given the development status of Starship and other elements.