Pomona Native Pilots Historic Artemis II Moon Mission

Victor Glover leads first crewed lunar flight in 50 years, paving way for future landings

Apr. 6, 2026 at 6:59pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A highly textured, abstract painting in earthy tones featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric circles, and precise spirals, conceptually representing the complex forces and concepts of space travel.The Artemis II mission's successful lunar flyby marks a major milestone in NASA's ambitious plan to return astronauts to the Moon.Pomona Today

Pomona native Victor Glover is piloting NASA's Artemis II mission, the first human moon flight in 50 years. The Artemis II spacecraft is set to splash down off the California coast after completing a lunar flyby, marking a major milestone in the Artemis program's goal of returning astronauts to the Moon.

Why it matters

The Artemis II mission is a critical step towards NASA's ambitious plan to establish a long-term human presence on the lunar surface. As the pilot, Victor Glover's successful flight will help pave the way for future Artemis missions and lunar landings, reigniting public interest in space exploration.

The details

The Artemis II spacecraft, with a crew of four astronauts including Glover, launched from Kennedy Space Center on April 3, 2026. After orbiting the Moon for several days, the capsule is scheduled to splash down in the Pacific Ocean off the California coast on April 12. This will be the first crewed lunar mission since the Apollo program ended in 1972.

  • The Artemis II mission launched from Kennedy Space Center on April 3, 2026.
  • The spacecraft is scheduled to splash down in the Pacific Ocean off the California coast on April 12, 2026.

The players

Victor Glover

A native of Pomona, California, Victor Glover is a NASA astronaut and the pilot of the Artemis II mission, the first crewed lunar flight in 50 years.

NASA

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the United States government agency responsible for the civilian space program, as well as aeronautics and space research.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“This mission is a critical step towards our goal of establishing a long-term human presence on the lunar surface. We're excited to have Victor Glover leading the way.”

— Jim Bridenstine, NASA Administrator

What’s next

After the successful Artemis II mission, NASA plans to launch the Artemis III mission in 2027, which will include the first woman and first person of color to land on the Moon.

The takeaway

The Artemis II mission, led by Pomona native Victor Glover, marks a significant milestone in the revived effort to return humans to the Moon. This flight will help pave the way for future Artemis missions and reignite public interest in space exploration, inspiring a new generation of scientists and astronauts.