NASA has launched its Artemis II mission, sending four astronauts into space for the first crewed flight around the Moon in more than 50 years. The mission marks a major step forward in human space exploration and signals a return to deep space beyond Earth’s orbit.
The agency’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket lifted off from Launch Pad 39B at Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 6:35 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. Riding aboard the Orion spacecraft, the crew began a carefully planned test flight that will carry them around the Moon and back to Earth.
“Today’s launch marks a defining moment for our nation and for all who believe in exploration. Artemis II builds on the vision set by President Donald J. Trump, returning humanity to the Moon for the first time in more than 50 years and opening the next chapter of lunar exploration beyond Apollo. Aboard Orion are four remarkable explorers preparing for the first crewed flight of this rocket and spacecraft, a true test mission that will carry them farther and faster than any humans in a generation,” said NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman. “Artemis II is the start of something bigger than any one mission. It marks our return to the Moon, not just to visit, but to eventually stay on our Moon Base, and lays the foundation for the next giant leaps ahead.”
Artemis II Crew and Mission Goals
The mission is expected to last about 10 days and includes NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, along with CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen. As the first crewed mission in NASA’s Artemis program, Artemis II is designed to test key systems with astronauts on board and prepare for future missions that aim to establish a long-term human presence on the Moon and eventually travel to Mars.
Shortly after reaching space, Orion deployed its solar array wings to begin generating power from the Sun. At the same time, the crew and ground teams started transitioning the spacecraft into normal flight operations while checking critical onboard systems.
“Artemis II is a test flight, and the test has just begun. The team that built this vehicle, repaired it, and prepared it for flight has given our crew the machine they need to go prove what it can do,” said NASA Associate Administrator Amit Kshatriya. “Over the next 10 days, Reid, Victor, Christina, and Jeremy will put Orion through its paces so the crews who follow them can go to the Moon’s surface with confidence. We are one mission into a long campaign, and the work ahead of us is greater than the work behind us.”
Orion’s Journey From Earth Orbit to the Moon
Roughly 49 minutes after launch, the rocket’s upper stage ignited to place Orion into an elliptical orbit around Earth. A second burn will push the spacecraft, named “Integrity” by the crew, into a high Earth orbit reaching about 46,000 miles above the planet. After completing this maneuver, Orion will separate from the rocket stage and continue the mission independently.
Several hours later, the upper stage will release four CubeSats, which are small satellites built by international partners including Argentina’s Comisión Nacional de Actividades Espaciales, the German Aerospace Center, the Korea AeroSpace Administration, and the Saudi Space Agency. These satellites will carry out scientific studies and technology demonstrations.
The spacecraft will remain in high Earth orbit for about a day. During this time, the astronauts will manually control Orion to test its handling and performance. Teams at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston will work closely with the crew as they continue evaluating onboard systems.
Lunar Flyby and Return to Earth
If all systems perform as expected, mission control will command Orion’s European-built service module to execute a translunar injection burn on Thursday, April 2. This burn will last about six minutes and place the spacecraft on a path toward the Moon. The trajectory is designed to carry the crew around the Moon and use its gravity to help guide the spacecraft back to Earth.
During the planned lunar flyby on Monday, April 6, the astronauts will spend several hours observing and photographing the Moon. They will also become the first humans to directly view certain regions of the far side. Because the surface will only be partially illuminated, long shadows are expected to highlight features such as ridges, slopes, and crater edges that are often harder to see under full sunlight. The crew will also take part in scientific studies, including human health research like AVATAR, to support future missions.
After completing the flyby, Orion will return to Earth, where the crew is scheduled to splash down in the Pacific Ocean.
Building Toward a Long-Term Lunar Presence
Artemis II is part of a broader effort to expand human exploration of the Moon and beyond. NASA plans to follow this mission with increasingly complex flights that will support scientific discovery, economic development, and preparations for sending astronauts to Mars.
The mission represents an early step in what NASA describes as a new era of innovation and exploration, aimed at establishing a lasting human presence on the Moon and opening the door to deeper space travel.