Artemis 2: NASA's Historic Moon Mission Prepares for Launch

The first crewed Artemis mission will send four astronauts on a 10-day journey around the lunar surface.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 10:48am

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NASA is gearing up for the launch of its historic Artemis 2 mission, which will send a crew of four astronauts on a 10-day journey around the moon. This mission marks the first crewed Artemis flight, paving the way for future lunar landings. The astronauts will travel farther from Earth than any human has ever been, witnessing unprecedented views of the moon and our planet.

Why it matters

The Artemis 2 mission is a crucial step in NASA's ambitious Artemis program, which aims to establish a sustainable human presence on the moon. By testing systems and hardware, this mission will help prepare for future lunar landings, including the planned Artemis 3 mission in 2027 that will put astronauts back on the lunar surface for the first time since the Apollo era.

The details

The Artemis 2 mission will launch from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, using NASA's powerful Space Launch System rocket to propel the Orion crew capsule on its journey. The four-person crew will include the first Black astronaut and the first Canadian to travel near the moon. During their 10-day mission, the astronauts will venture up to 6,000 miles above the lunar surface, seeing parts of the far side of the moon that even the Apollo astronauts did not witness.

  • The Artemis 2 mission is currently targeted for launch on April 1, 2026, with a two-hour launch window opening at 6:24 p.m. ET.
  • If weather or other issues arise, NASA has backup launch opportunities available from April 2-6 and again on April 30.

The players

Artemis Program

NASA's ambitious campaign to return American astronauts to the surface of the moon for the first time since the Apollo era ended in 1972.

Space Launch System (SLS) Rocket

The powerful 322-foot rocket that will provide the initial thrust to send the Artemis 2 astronauts on their journey to the moon, generating 8.8 million pounds of thrust at liftoff.

Orion Crew Capsule

The spacecraft that will carry the four astronauts around the moon, offering state-of-the-art protection and amenities for the crew during their 10-day mission.

Victor Glover

One of the four Artemis 2 astronauts, set to become the first Black astronaut to travel near the moon.

Christina Koch

One of the four Artemis 2 astronauts, set to become the first woman to travel near the moon.

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What they’re saying

“We must push the boundaries of human exploration and continue to lead the world in space.”

— Jared Isaacman, NASA Administrator

“This mission will pave the way for future Artemis flights to the lunar surface, where we will establish a sustainable presence on and around the moon.”

— Bill Nelson, Former NASA Administrator

What’s next

After the successful completion of the Artemis 2 mission, NASA is targeting the Artemis 3 mission in 2027 to land astronauts on the lunar surface for the first time since the Apollo era.

The takeaway

The Artemis 2 mission represents a major milestone in NASA's renewed push to explore the moon, setting the stage for future crewed landings and the establishment of a permanent human presence on the lunar surface. This mission will not only inspire the next generation of space explorers but also unlock new scientific discoveries and technological advancements that could benefit life on Earth.