NASA Astronauts Prepare for Historic Lunar Orbit Mission

Artemis II crew to test navigation, procedures, and technologies for future moon landings

Mar. 30, 2026 at 3:51pm

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A highly structured abstract painting in muted earth tones, featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric circles, and precise spirals, representing the complex orbital mechanics and technological systems of the Artemis II mission to the moon.The Artemis II mission will test the critical systems and technologies needed to safely return humans to the lunar surface, paving the way for future moon landings.Cape Canaveral Today

NASA astronauts are finalizing preparations for the Artemis II mission, which will mark humanity's return to lunar orbit after more than 50 years. Unlike previous Apollo missions, Artemis II will have four astronauts orbiting the lunar surface rather than landing, allowing NASA to test critical systems and technologies that will pave the way for future moon missions.

Why it matters

The Artemis II mission is a crucial stepping stone towards NASA's goal of returning humans to the lunar surface. By testing navigation, procedures, and technologies in orbit, the agency can ensure smoother and safer future Artemis missions that will actually land astronauts on the moon.

The details

The Artemis II crew consists of NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen. They are stationed at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, finalizing preparations for the historic flight. The mission will offer the crew a unique perspective of the moon's surface, with Hansen noting the different colors and shades they will observe. The astronauts say their ultimate goal is to help make future Artemis missions, which will land on the lunar surface, more successful.

  • NASA's last mission to the moon, Apollo 17, launched in December 1972.
  • The Artemis II crew is scheduled to launch no earlier than 6:24 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, weather permitting.

The players

Reid Wiseman

NASA astronaut and commander of the Artemis II mission.

Victor Glover

NASA astronaut and pilot of the Artemis II mission.

Christina Koch

NASA astronaut and mission specialist on the Artemis II mission.

Jeremy Hansen

Canadian Space Agency astronaut and mission specialist on the Artemis II mission.

Shawn Quinn

NASA's Exploration Ground Systems manager, who said the team is ready for the challenges ahead.

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What they’re saying

“Things are certainly starting to feel real here at the Cape.”

— Christina Koch

“Specifically, the different colors or just different shades, variations in the albedo of the moon, they're very interesting, we look at it from different angles and different lighting.”

— Jeremy Hansen

“Listening to other people's perspectives on the moon and how different cultures look at the moon and when we go back honoring just how humanity we all share this same moon in the in the sky, but honoring humans around the world and how they revere the moon that's really important to us.”

— Jeremy Hansen

“Our motto from day one has been Help Artemis three, succeed.”

— Reid Wiseman

“Even though this mission is not going to the surface, we are starting some of the processes that we think are going to help them be successful physically, emotionally and mentally in getting ready for service work.”

— Victor Glover

What’s next

NASA has set a target for liftoff on Wednesday. The four astronauts are scheduled to launch no earlier than 6:24 p.m. EDT, weather permitting.

The takeaway

The Artemis II mission represents a critical milestone in NASA's plan to return humans to the lunar surface. By testing key systems and technologies in orbit, the agency can ensure the success and safety of future Artemis missions that will land astronauts on the moon for the first time since the Apollo era.