NASA to conduct docking tests with 2 lunar landers in 2027

US space agency NASA has announced plans to conduct docking tests in space involving its main spacecraft and two US companies' lunar landers next year.

The agency revealed its 2027 mission for the US-led Artemis international lunar exploration project on Tuesday. It also named the three Americans and one Italian who will serve as the primary crew members for the test flight.

NASA's spacecraft will be connected with a lunar lander, provided by Blue Origin, and then with the other, provided by SpaceX, in Earth's orbit. The crew will perform checks and tests. NASA said the tests are essential for its goal to land humans on the moon in 2028 for the first time since the Apollo program. In the actual landing mission, the crew will enter a lander near the moon.