SpaceX partnership selected for Artemis III laser communications

A SpaceX partnership has been selected to deliver laser communications capabilities for Artemis III. The Artemis III laser communications demonstration partnership involves the SCaN Division Communications Services Project.

The Artemis III crew is listed as 4 astronauts.

Orion's payload includes 2 Starlink mini laser terminals.

An Orion milestone calls for downlinking 4K imagery and video to Mission Control Center.

Artemis II successfully sent high-definition video and voice communications from Orion to Earth over laser signals. The test also carried photos, flight procedures, and engineering and science data.

SpaceX's first demonstration of laser communications capabilities for NASA occurred during Fram2 in 2025.

Starship flight tests provided real-time video and telemetry data throughout every phase of flight.

NASA's strategy includes commercializing satellite relay services for near-Earth missions.

A commercial human landing systems milestone is needed to return astronauts to the Moon in 2028.

The selection ties Artemis III laser communications to SpaceX and to specific hardware: 2 Starlink mini laser terminals on Orion.

NASA's strategy to commercialize satellite relay services for near-Earth missions and the 2028 commercial human landing systems milestone show commercial elements in returning astronauts to the Moon and in near-Earth communications.

The selected partnership is to deliver laser communications capabilities for Artemis III, and a commercial human landing systems milestone is needed to return astronauts to the Moon in 2028.