NASA has launched four astronauts on Artemis II, the first crewed mission to fly around the Moon in more than 50 years.
Riding aboard the powerful SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft, the crew is on a 10-day test flight to prove critical systems, perform manual operations, and travel farther than any humans have in decades.
NASA Artemis II Launch Begins Historic Crewed Moon Mission
NASA has launched astronauts on the Artemis II mission, marking the first time humans are flying around the Moon in more than 50 years. The crew is now in space, preparing for a historic lunar flyby that signals a major step forward in human exploration.
The agency’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket lifted off from Launch Pad 39B at Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 6:35 p.m. EDT today, April 1. Riding aboard the Orion spacecraft, four astronauts are on a planned test mission that will carry them around the Moon and back to Earth.
“Today’s launch marks a defining moment for our nation and for all who believe in exploration. Artemis II builds on the vision set by President Donald J. Trump, returning humanity to the Moon for the first time in more than 50 years and opening the next chapter of lunar exploration beyond Apollo. Aboard Orion are four remarkable explorers preparing for the first crewed flight of this rocket and spacecraft, a true test mission that will carry them farther and faster than any humans in a generation,” said NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman. “Artemis II is the start of something bigger than any one mission. It marks our return to the Moon, not just to visit, but to eventually stay on our Moon Base, and lays the foundation for the next giant leaps ahead.”
Artemis II Crew and Mission Goals
The launch begins a roughly 10 day journey for NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, along with CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen. As the first crewed flight in NASA’s Artemis program, the mission is designed to test key systems, including life support, with astronauts onboard. These demonstrations will help prepare for future missions that aim to establish a lasting human presence on the Moon and eventually send crews to Mars.
Soon after reaching space, Orion deployed its solar array wings, allowing it to generate power from the Sun. At the same time, the crew and ground teams began transitioning the spacecraft from launch mode into normal flight operations, checking critical systems.
“Artemis II is a test flight, and the test has just begun. The team that built this vehicle, repaired it, and prepared it for flight has given our crew the machine they need to go prove what it can do,” said NASA Associate Administrator Amit Kshatriya. “Over the next 10 days, Reid, Victor, Christina, and Jeremy will put Orion through its paces so the crews who follow them can go to the Moon’s surface with confidence. We are one mission into a long campaign, and the work ahead of us is greater than the work behind us.”
Orion’s Flight Path and CubeSat Deployments
About 49 minutes after liftoff, the rocket’s upper stage fired to place Orion into an elliptical orbit around Earth. A second burn is planned to send the spacecraft, named “Integrity” by the crew, into a high Earth orbit that stretches about 46,000 miles beyond the planet. After this maneuver, Orion will separate from the stage and continue on its own.
Several hours later, a component of the rocket will release four CubeSats at a safe distance from Orion. These small satellites, provided by Argentina’s Comisión Nacional de Actividades Espaciales, German Aerospace Center, Korea AeroSpace Administration, and Saudi Space Agency, will carry out scientific studies and technology tests.
Testing Systems Before the Moon Flyby
Orion will remain in high Earth orbit for about a day. During this time, the astronauts will perform a manual piloting demonstration to evaluate how the spacecraft handles. Working closely with Mission Control at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, the crew will continue inspecting onboard systems.
If everything is operating as expected, controllers will direct Orion’s European-built service module to perform the translunar injection burn on Thursday, April 2. This burn will last about six minutes and place the spacecraft on a path that takes it around the Moon and back toward Earth using the Moon’s gravity.
Lunar Flyby and Return to Earth
The spacecraft is scheduled to pass by the Moon during a multi-hour flyby on Monday, April 6. During this phase, the astronauts will capture images and make observations of the lunar surface, including regions on the far side that few people have ever seen. Because the far side will only be partially lit, long shadows are expected to highlight features such as ridges, slopes, and crater edges, making them easier to study.
The crew will also conduct human health and science investigations, including AVATAR, to support future missions.
After completing the flyby, Orion will head back to Earth. The mission will conclude with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.
Building Toward a Long-Term Lunar Presence
Artemis II is part of a broader effort to expand human exploration beyond Earth. NASA plans to follow this mission with increasingly complex flights that will explore more of the Moon, support scientific discovery, and contribute to economic development in space. These efforts are also intended to prepare for the first crewed missions to Mars, building on the progress made during the Artemis program.
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1 Comment
To the Moon, Alice!