NASA's Artemis II Mission Approved for Historic April 1 Launch

The 10-day crewed mission around the Moon will test critical systems ahead of future lunar landings.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 9:38pm

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A bold, highly structured abstract painting in muted earth tones, featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric circles, and precise spiraling forms, conveying the intricate systems and forces involved in the Artemis II mission to the Moon.An abstract, visually striking illustration captures the technological complexity and scientific precision of NASA's historic Artemis II mission to the Moon.Cape Canaveral Today

NASA has given the green light for the Artemis II mission, the first crewed flight of the agency's new Orion spacecraft, to launch as soon as April 1. The mission will send four astronauts on a free-return path around the Moon, marking the first time humans have traveled beyond low Earth orbit since the Apollo era. Artemis II will test critical life-support systems and pave the way for future Artemis missions, including planned lunar landings.

Why it matters

The Artemis II mission is a major milestone in NASA's ambitious Artemis program to return humans to the Moon. After over 50 years since the last crewed mission beyond low Earth orbit, this flight will demonstrate the capabilities of the new Orion spacecraft and Space Launch System rocket, helping to ensure the safety and success of future Artemis missions that aim to establish a sustained human presence on and around the Moon.

The details

Artemis II will carry a crew of four astronauts - NASA's Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, along with Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen. The roughly 10-day mission will send the crew on a free-return trajectory around the Moon, allowing them to test the life-support systems of the Orion spacecraft before returning to Earth. While the mission will not land on the lunar surface, it will provide unprecedented views of the Moon's far side and help pave the way for future Artemis missions, including crewed lunar landings.

  • NASA teams began countdown activities on Monday, March 30 at 4:44 p.m. EDT.
  • The current launch window opens on Wednesday, April 1 at 6:24 p.m. EDT and runs through April 6, with April 30 as a backup date.

The players

NASA

The United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the government agency responsible for the country's civilian space program, aeronautics research, and space exploration.

Artemis II

The second mission in NASA's Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the Moon, including the first crewed lunar landing since the Apollo era.

Orion Spacecraft

NASA's new crew capsule designed to carry astronauts to the Moon and beyond, which will be tested for the first time with a crew on the Artemis II mission.

Space Launch System (SLS)

NASA's powerful new rocket that will launch the Orion spacecraft on the Artemis II mission and future Artemis flights to the Moon.

Canadian Space Agency

Canada's national space agency, which is providing an astronaut, Jeremy Hansen, to join the Artemis II crew.

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What they’re saying

“Something really big is going to happen.”

— Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, Launch Director

“We are getting very, very close, and we are ready.”

— Lori Glaze, NASA's Acting Associate Administrator for Exploration Systems Development

What’s next

If the Artemis II mission is successful, it will pave the way for future Artemis missions, including crewed lunar landings and the establishment of a sustained human presence on and around the Moon.

The takeaway

The Artemis II mission represents a major milestone in NASA's ambitious plan to return humans to the Moon. By testing critical systems and capabilities, this flight will help ensure the safety and success of future Artemis missions that aim to establish a permanent human presence on the lunar surface.