Historic Launch of Artemis II

NASA’s Artemis II mission successfully launched on Wednesday evening, carrying four astronauts toward the Moon. This marks the first time humans have been sent to lunar orbit in more than 50 years.

Mission Details and Crew

The Artemis II mission is a crucial component of NASA’s broader Artemis program, aiming to return humans to the Moon, currently targeted for 2028. The four astronauts aboard the Orion crew capsule are Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen.

A 10-Day Lunar Orbit

The full mission is anticipated to last 10 days, during which the crew will orbit the Moon. This is the first crewed flight of the powerful Space Launch System (SLS) rocket.

Recent Delays and Revised Timelines

The launch was initially delayed in February due to a helium supply issue. NASA has also recently adjusted its lunar landing schedule, shifting the focus of the Artemis III mission.

Artemis III and IV Missions

Originally planned as a Moon landing in 2027, the Artemis III mission will now serve as a test flight. The next planned attempt to land astronauts on the Moon is currently scheduled for the Artemis IV mission in 2028.

Looking Back: Apollo and Artemis I

The last time NASA landed on the Moon was in December 1972, during the Apollo 17 mission. Prior to Artemis II, the uncrewed Artemis I mission successfully launched the Orion capsule around the Moon in 2022, utilizing the SLS rocket.

Follow the Mission Live

NASA is currently providing live coverage of the Artemis II mission through a livestream on Twitch and YouTube, as well as a live blog on the NASA website.