NASA names four astraunauts for next step in mission for America's return to the moon

NASA on Tuesday named the four astronauts selected for the next phase of America's return to the moon.

Randy Bresnik, Luca Parmitano, Frank Rubio and Andre Douglas will man the Artemis III mission. The mission will conduct a series of tests in Earth orbit in 2027.

These tests, according to NASA, are essential for the planned Artemis IV mission, which will be the first crewed mission to the lunar southern pole in 2028. They will demonstrate "rendezvous and docking capabilities with test versions from one, or both, American commercial human landing systems in development by Blue Origin and SpaceX."

NASA's Space Launch System rocket will take the Orion spacecraft and its crew of four from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida to low Earth orbit for the tests. 

“Today we take another bold step in humanity’s return to the Moon, building on the extraordinary foundation laid by the Artemis II astronauts,” NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said in a statement. 

 NASA astronaut Bob Hines was named as a backup crew member.