Artemis II Crew Speaks From Quarantine

NASA and Canadian astronauts brief media ahead of historic moon mission

Mar. 29, 2026 at 4:58pm

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The four-person crew of the upcoming Artemis II mission, including NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, along with Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen, are participating in a virtual press conference from quarantine at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida.

Why it matters

The Artemis II mission will be the first crewed flight of NASA's new Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft, paving the way for the first human lunar landing since the Apollo program. This virtual briefing provides an opportunity for the public to hear directly from the astronauts before they embark on this historic journey.

The details

The astronauts are currently in quarantine at the Kennedy Space Center as part of standard pre-flight protocols to ensure the crew's health and safety. During the virtual press conference, they are expected to discuss their training, the objectives of the Artemis II mission, and their excitement about returning humans to the Moon.

  • The virtual press conference is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. ET on March 30, 2026.
  • The Artemis II mission is targeted to launch in late 2026.

The players

Reid Wiseman

NASA astronaut who will be the commander of the Artemis II mission.

Victor Glover

NASA astronaut who will be the pilot of the Artemis II mission.

Christina Koch

NASA astronaut who will be a mission specialist on the Artemis II mission.

Jeremy Hansen

Canadian Space Agency astronaut who will be a mission specialist on the Artemis II mission.

NASA

The United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the federal agency responsible for the civilian space program, the Artemis program, and the Orion spacecraft.

Canadian Space Agency

The Canadian government agency responsible for space exploration and research, including the participation of Canadian astronauts in the Artemis program.

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What they’re saying

“We are honored to be part of this historic mission that will pave the way for future human exploration of the Moon.”

— Reid Wiseman, NASA Astronaut and Artemis II Commander

“This is a dream come true for all of us, and we can't wait to inspire the next generation of space explorers.”

— Christina Koch, NASA Astronaut and Artemis II Mission Specialist

What’s next

The Artemis II crew will continue their pre-flight training and quarantine procedures in the coming months before launching to the Moon later in 2026.

The takeaway

The Artemis II mission represents a major milestone in the return of human spaceflight to the Moon, with an international crew of experienced astronauts leading the way. This virtual press conference allows the public to connect with the crew and build excitement for this historic journey.