NASA's Artemis II Mission to the Moon Lifts Off in Historic First Crewed Launch Since 1972

Four astronauts, including the first Canadian and first African American to reach deep space, embark on 10-day journey around the Moon

Mar. 31, 2026 at 4:26pm

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A bold, abstract painting in soft blues, greens, and oranges, featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric circles, and precise spirals, conceptually representing the complex forces and concepts involved in the Artemis II mission to the Moon.The Artemis II mission's historic journey to the Moon will push the boundaries of human space exploration, testing critical technologies for future lunar and Mars missions.Mountain View Today

NASA's highly anticipated Artemis II mission is set to launch on April 1, marking the first crewed mission to the Moon since the Apollo 17 mission in 1972. The four-person crew, consisting of commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, mission specialist Christina Koch, and Canadian mission specialist Jeremy Hansen, will embark on a 10-day journey that will include two trips around Earth before heading toward the Moon, which they will orbit but not land on. This mission is a crucial step toward NASA's goal of putting astronauts on the lunar surface in 2028 with the Artemis IV mission.

Why it matters

The Artemis II mission is a significant milestone in the history of space exploration, as it represents the first crewed mission to the Moon in over 50 years. This mission will test critical technologies and capabilities that NASA will need for long-term lunar exploration and future human missions to Mars. The diverse crew, including the first Canadian and first African American to reach deep space, also makes this mission an important step forward in the representation and inclusion of underrepresented groups in the space program.

The details

The Artemis II mission is scheduled to launch on April 1 from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, with three potential two-hour launch windows starting at 6:24 p.m. ET. The crew will embark on a 10-day journey that will include two trips around Earth before heading toward the Moon, which they will orbit but not land on. The mission is expected to take the crew more than 280,000 miles from Earth, which would be the farthest in history, passing the mark of 248,655 miles set in 1970 by the Apollo 13 mission. The crew will be traveling with a stuffed toy called Rise, which will serve as their zero-gravity indicator.

  • The countdown to launch began on March 30 when engineers started powering up flight hardware, checking communication links and preparing the rocket's cryogenic systems.
  • The launch is scheduled for April 1 between 6:24 p.m. ET and 8:24 p.m. ET.
  • If the mission is launched on April 1, the crew will return on April 10 by splashing down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego.

The players

Reid Wiseman

The commander of the Artemis II mission.

Victor Glover

The pilot of the Artemis II mission, who will be the first African American to head to deep space.

Christina Koch

A mission specialist on the Artemis II mission, who will be the first woman to head to deep space.

Jeremy Hansen

A Canadian mission specialist on the Artemis II mission, who will be the first Canadian to head to deep space.

Lucas Ye

A second-grader from Mountain View, California, who submitted the winning design for the Artemis II mission's stuffed toy mascot, Rise.

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What they’re saying

“We are ready. NASA is ready. This vehicle is definitely ready to go.”

— Reid Wiseman, Commander, Artemis II mission

“It's about human history. It's the story of humanity, not Black history, not women's history, but that it becomes human history.”

— Victor Glover, Pilot, Artemis II mission

“It's a stepping stone to Mars, where we might have the most likelihood of finding evidence of past life.”

— Christina Koch, Mission Specialist, Artemis II mission

What’s next

NASA aims to put astronauts on the moon's lunar surface in 2028 with its Artemis IV mission.

The takeaway

The Artemis II mission represents a significant milestone in the history of space exploration, as it marks the first crewed mission to the Moon since the Apollo 17 mission in 1972. The diverse crew and the mission's role in paving the way for future lunar exploration and potential Mars missions make this an important step forward for the space program and human spaceflight.