NASA Targets April 1 for Artemis II Moon Mission Launch
NASA plans to launch Artemis II, the first crewed lunar flyby in over 50 years, on April 1, 2026, with a four-astronaut crew.
NASA has announced plans to launch Artemis II, the first crewed lunar flyby mission in over five decades, as early as April 1, 2026. The mission will carry four astronauts—Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian Jeremy Hansen—on a 10-day journey around the Moon and back to Earth.
The launch is scheduled for 6:24 p.m. EDT from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, with additional opportunities on April 3, 4, 5, and 6.
Artemis II will be the first human spaceflight to the Moon's vicinity since 1972, testing critical systems aboard the Orion spacecraft and Space Launch System (SLS) rocket. The mission aims to pave the way for future lunar landings, with Artemis III targeting a Moon landing in 2028.
Recent technical challenges, including a helium leak in the SLS rocket's upper stage, have been addressed, keeping the mission on track for the planned launch window.
This mission marks a significant milestone in NASA's Artemis program, aiming to establish a sustainable human presence on the Moon and prepare for future missions to Mars.
