, July 23 -- NASA is preparing for its next astronaut mission to the Moon by planning a major orbital rehearsal in 2027, when it will test commercial lunar landers built by SpaceX and Blue Origin before astronauts attempt a lunar landing in 2028.

The tests will take place during the Artemis III demonstration mission, where astronauts aboard NASA's Orion spacecraft will carry out rendezvous and docking exercises with prototype Moon landers in Earth orbit.

NASA says the mission, along with future uncrewed tests near the Moon, will provide valuable data to improve astronaut safety and reduce mission risks before humans return to the lunar surface.

SpaceX and Blue Origin to test prototype landers

NASA has selected SpaceX and Blue Origin t...