NASA’s Artemis II mission lifted off at 6:35 p.m. EDT from Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39B, sending four astronauts aboard the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft on a journey around the moon. The crew includes Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen.

Mission Overview

The roughly 10-day mission will test systems needed for future deep space exploration as NASA prepares for more complex lunar missions and eventual human travel to Mars. Artemis II will orbit Earth, travel to the moon for a flyby beyond its far side, and return along a free-return trajectory, culminating in Orion’s reentry and a Pacific Ocean splashdown.

Key Milestones Achieved

Booster Separation

NASA’s Space Launch System twin solid rocket boosters successfully separated, clearing the way for the core stage to continue propelling the Orion spacecraft, named Integrity, toward orbit. Each booster produced over 3.6 million pounds of thrust at liftoff.

Core Stage Separation

NASA’s Artemis II mission reached a key milestone as the Space Launch System core stage completed main engine cutoff and successfully separated from Orion and the Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage. This marked the end of the first major propulsion phase.

Solar Array Deployment

Orion’s four solar array wings fully deployed, officials confirmed. These arrays, extending from the European Service Module, have a wingspan of roughly 63 feet and are generating electricity for life support, avionics, and communications. Each wing contains 15,000 solar cells.

Fairing Jettison

The spacecraft adapter fairings, which enclosed Orion’s service module and launch abort system, were successfully jettisoned. This was necessary as Orion moved above the densest layers of Earth’s atmosphere.

Pre-Launch Preparations

The countdown for the Artemis II launch proceeded after engineers resolved a communication issue with the rocket’s flight termination system. A hardware issue affecting communication with the Space Launch System’s flight termination system had initially caused a hold in the countdown.

Final Checks & Weather

NASA’s Artemis II closeout crew completed their work and departed Launch Complex 39B, leaving the Orion spacecraft sealed and ready for flight. Weather conditions improved, with a 90% chance of favorable conditions for liftoff.

Crew Boarding

The Artemis II astronauts began boarding the Orion spacecraft, conducting communication checks to confirm voice links with mission control. President Donald Trump also celebrated the upcoming mission on Tuesday.

Mission Mascot

A second-grade student from California, Lucas Ye, designed the mission’s zero gravity indicator, nicknamed “Rise,” a moon-like plush with an Earth-inspired cap. This mascot will alert the crew when they reach zero gravity.