Artemis II Astronauts Continue Journey to Moon After Successful Launch

NASA's Artemis II mission is proceeding as planned, with four astronauts en route to the Moon following their launch on April 1, 2026. The crew comprises NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen. This mission marks the first crewed lunar voyage since 1972.

After entering Earth orbit, the crew performed a translunar injection burn on April 2, propelling their Orion spacecraft out of Earth's orbit toward the Moon. The spacecraft is scheduled to make its closest approach to the lunar surface on Monday, April 6, coming within approximately 6,500 to 10,000 kilometers. During this flyby, the crew will capture images and video of the Moon's far side, including regions previously unseen by human eyes.

Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen is set to speak to reporters live from the Orion spacecraft at 1:10 a.m. ET on Saturday, April 4. The broadcast is expected to last about 20 minutes, during which Hansen will share his impressions of the mission and answer questions from Canadian journalists.

As the mission progresses, the crew will experience a temporary loss of communication with Earth when they pass behind the Moon on Monday. This blackout period is expected to last approximately 40 minutes. NASA officials have indicated plans to implement future technologies, such as lunar surface relays, to maintain constant communication during such phases.

The Artemis II mission is a critical step in NASA's broader Artemis program, aiming to return humans to the Moon and establish a sustainable presence. The mission also includes historic elements, such as international crew participation and advancing Moon exploration capabilities.