NASA has officially opened a request for information (RFI) for organizations interested in launching CubeSats on future Artemis missions. The agency is seeking submissions by June 1 to evaluate potential science and technology investigations that could ride alongside upcoming lunar exploration efforts. These nanosatellites, which serve as secondary payloads, are vital for conducting research that supports the broader goals of human space exploration.

The current call for interest focuses on potential flight opportunities for Artemis III, IV, and V. NASA is planning to accommodate 6U and 12U-sized CubeSats, which are measured in 10x10x10 centimeter units. These payloads are expected to deploy from the upper stage of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, either in Earth orbit, on a heliocentric disposal trajectory, or via a reentry trajectory from Earth orbit.

This initiative builds on the success of previous missions, including the 10 CubeSats deployed during the uncrewed Artemis I flight in 2022 and the four launched during the crewed Artemis II mission. Beyond providing launch capacity, the agency offers engineering support and payload integration services to ensure these small satellites can successfully contribute to the mission’s scientific objectives. These efforts are part of a larger strategy to establish a sustainable human presence on the Moon and prepare for future crewed missions to Mars.