Artemis II Launches, Marking First Crewed Lunar Mission Since 1972

NASA's Artemis II mission successfully launched from Kennedy Space Center in Florida on April 1, 2026, at 6:35 p.m. ET. The mission carries four astronauts—Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen—on a 10-day journey around the Moon and back, marking the first crewed lunar mission since Apollo 17 in 1972.

The crew will travel approximately 230,000 miles, conducting a lunar flyby that brings them within 4,000 to 6,000 miles of the Moon's surface. This mission serves as a pivotal test of the Orion spacecraft, aiming to pave the way for future lunar landings and eventual missions to Mars.

The Artemis II mission is part of NASA's broader Artemis program, which seeks to return humans to the Moon and establish a sustainable presence. The program plans to conduct at least one surface landing every year following this mission.

The launch was powered by NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, with the Boeing-built core stage playing a critical role in the ascent. The core stage separated approximately eight and a half minutes into flight, enabling the Orion spacecraft to begin its journey.

This mission also includes historic elements, such as international crew participation and advancing Moon exploration capabilities.

The last crewed lunar mission, Apollo 17, launched in December 1972. Astronauts Eugene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt spent over three days on the lunar surface, collecting approximately 250 pounds of moon rock and soil samples.

Artemis II represents a significant milestone in space exploration, bringing humanity closer to returning to the Moon and setting the stage for future missions beyond Earth's orbit.