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Lakewood Today
By the People, for the People
Colorado Students Get Glimpse of Artemis II Moon Mission
NASA's next crewed lunar flight aims to carry astronauts farther into deep space than ever before.
Published on Mar. 9, 2026
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NASA's Artemis II mission, the first crewed flight of the Orion spacecraft, is coming closer to reality. Students in Colorado are getting an early look at the mission, which is designed to send four astronauts on a 10-day flight around the moon. Lockheed Martin engineers and mission leaders are sharing the science and strategy behind the program with classrooms across the country through a series of "Launch and Learn" events.
Why it matters
The Artemis II mission marks NASA's first crewed lunar-distance mission in more than five decades, focusing on testing systems needed for deeper space exploration. As the broader Artemis campaign unfolds over many years, the outreach to students today aims to spark their interest in aerospace careers that will contribute to future moon missions and beyond.
The details
Through the "Launch and Learn" events, Lockheed Martin says more than 8,000 students will get a behind-the-scenes introduction to the Orion spacecraft and mission roadmap. In Colorado, that included a visit to the New America School in Lakewood, where Whitley Poyser, the company's director of exploration mission area, walked students through the spacecraft's design and the goals of the Artemis II flight.
- The Artemis II launch is expected to happen in April 2026.
The players
Whitley Poyser
The director of exploration mission area at Lockheed Martin.
Samuel Reed
An eighth-grade student at the New America School in Lakewood, Colorado, who expressed excitement and some trepidation about the Artemis II mission.
What they’re saying
“The Artemis mission is a very, very special mission. We haven't returned to the lunar environment in over 50 years.”
— Whitley Poyser, Director of exploration mission area, Lockheed Martin (CBS News)
“Imagine just being in the deep void of space where it's really hard to return and you're kind of stuck.”
— Samuel Reed (CBS News)
“History thinks of the moon landing as the first step. But now, it's revisiting moon exploration and going beyond the moon (...) I wouldn't miss it for the world.”
— Samuel Reed (CBS News)
What’s next
The Artemis II launch is expected to happen in April 2026.
The takeaway
The Artemis II mission represents a new chapter in lunar exploration, with NASA aiming to send astronauts farther into deep space than ever before. By engaging students today through programs like "Launch and Learn," Lockheed Martin and NASA are inspiring the next generation of aerospace professionals who will contribute to these ambitious missions and beyond.
