NASA's Artemis II Mission Advances Toward February 2026 Launch
NASA's Artemis II mission, scheduled for February 2026, will send four astronauts on a 10-day journey around the Moon, marking the first crewed lunar mission since 1972.
NASA is progressing with preparations for Artemis II, the first crewed mission under the Artemis program, aiming to send four astronauts on a 10-day journey around the Moon and back to Earth. The mission is scheduled for launch no earlier than February 6, 2026, from Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
The Artemis II crew comprises NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, along with Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen. This mission will mark the first time humans travel beyond low Earth orbit since the Apollo 17 mission in 1972.
The primary objectives of Artemis II include testing the Orion spacecraft's life support systems, navigation, and communication capabilities in deep space. The mission will follow a hybrid free-return trajectory, allowing Earth's gravity to naturally pull Orion back after flying around the Moon.
In preparation, NASA has integrated the Orion spacecraft with the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket inside the Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy Space Center. The agency has conducted critical communication tests between SLS and Orion and verified interfaces between the rocket, spacecraft, and ground systems.
The Artemis II crew has participated in a countdown demonstration test, simulating the final moments before launch. This rehearsal included donning flight suits, walking out, and entering and exiting the Orion spacecraft.
Artemis II is a pivotal step in NASA's plan to establish a sustainable human presence on the Moon and prepare for future missions to Mars. The mission will provide valuable data and experience to inform subsequent Artemis missions, including Artemis III, which aims to land astronauts on the lunar surface.