NASA’s Artemis II mission is poised to send four astronauts on a historic journey around the moon, representing humanity’s first crewed lunar flight since 1972. Scheduled for launch on April 1, 2026, from the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, the mission will serve as a crucial test flight for future, more ambitious lunar landing endeavors.

A Diverse Crew for a New Era

The Artemis II crew comprises a diverse group of experienced astronauts: Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen. Reid Wiseman, a retired Navy captain, will command the mission. Victor Glover, a Navy test pilot, became the first Black astronaut to live and work aboard the International Space Station in 2020. Christina Koch holds the record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman, with 328 days on the ISS, and participated in the first all-female spacewalk. Jeremy Hansen, representing the Canadian Space Agency, is the only rookie astronaut on the team.

Astronaut Backgrounds and Experience

  • Christina Koch: Longest single spaceflight by a woman (328 days).
  • Victor Glover: First Black astronaut to live and work on the ISS.
  • Jeremy Hansen: First Canadian astronaut on a lunar mission.
  • Reid Wiseman: Former NASA astronaut corps chief.

Mission Details: A Lunar Flyby

Unlike the Apollo missions, Artemis II will not involve a lunar landing. Instead, the astronauts will travel approximately 5,000 miles beyond the moon, executing a “free-return trajectory” that utilizes the gravitational forces of Earth and the moon. This path minimizes fuel consumption and provides a safe return to Earth. The entire mission is expected to last less than 10 days.

The Space Launch System (SLS) Rocket

The mission will utilize NASA’s new Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, standing at 322 feet tall. While shorter than the Saturn V rocket used during the Apollo program, the SLS is designed to be more powerful at liftoff. The rocket is powered by salvaged space shuttle engines and uses liquid hydrogen as fuel. Recent fueling practice runs revealed hydrogen leaks, a recurring issue from the Space Shuttle era, which caused a delay to the launch date.

Preparing for Re-entry and Splashdown

Following the lunar flyby, the Orion capsule will re-enter Earth’s atmosphere and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego. NASA is closely monitoring the Orion capsule’s heat shield, which sustained damage during a 2022 test flight. The agency is limiting heat exposure during reentry to mitigate risks. Navy recovery ships will be positioned to retrieve the crew after splashdown.

Scientific Observations and Future Missions

The Artemis II crew will have the opportunity to observe and photograph previously unseen regions of the lunar far side. Their observations will be valuable to NASA, as only China has previously landed spacecraft on this side of the moon. This mission is a critical step towards establishing a sustained human presence on the moon, with future Artemis missions planned to include lunar landings.

“The moon is like such a unifying thing,” said NASA geologist Kelsey Young, who will monitor the flyby from Mission Control. “What we’re doing with this mission is going to bring that a little closer to everybody around the world.”