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Artemis II to Fly Around Moon, Not Land
NASA's next crewed lunar mission will test systems for future Mars trips, but won't include a moon landing.
Apr. 1, 2026 at 7:42pm
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The Artemis II mission, scheduled to launch on April 1, 2026, will send a crew of four astronauts on a 10-day journey around the moon and back to Earth. This will be the first crewed lunar mission in over 50 years, but the crew will not actually land on the moon's surface. The last time astronauts physically landed on the moon was during the Apollo 17 mission in 1972.
Why it matters
The Artemis II mission is a crucial step in NASA's long-term plans to return humans to the lunar surface and eventually send astronauts to Mars. While the mission won't include a moon landing, it will allow the crew to test the Orion spacecraft's systems and learn how to live and work in the lunar environment, paving the way for future Artemis missions that will land astronauts on the moon.
The details
The Artemis II mission will launch from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida and last about 10 days. During the mission, the four-person crew will perform a flyby of the moon, check the Orion spacecraft's systems, and gain experience living and working in the lunar environment. However, the spacecraft does not have the capability to land on the moon, so the crew will not set foot on the lunar surface. That goal is being saved for the future Artemis 4 mission.
- The Artemis II mission is scheduled to launch on April 1, 2026.
- The mission will last approximately 10 days, with the crew returning to Earth on April 11, 2026.
The players
Artemis II
The second mission in NASA's Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the moon and eventually send astronauts to Mars.
Orion Spacecraft
The spacecraft that will carry the Artemis II crew on their journey around the moon.
NASA
The U.S. space agency leading the Artemis program and the Artemis II mission.
Apollo 17
The final mission of the Apollo program, which landed the last two astronauts on the moon in 1972.
Harrison H. Schmitt
The only professional geologist to have walked on the moon, as part of the Apollo 17 mission.
What they’re saying
“Artemis II is a key test flight in our effort to return humans to the moon's surface and build toward future missions to Mars, and it's also an opportunity to inspire people across the globe and to give them an opportunity to follow along as we lead the way in human exploration deeper into space.”
— Lori Glaze, Acting Associate Administrator, Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters
What’s next
After the successful completion of the Artemis II mission, NASA will continue to work towards the Artemis 4 mission, which is expected to include the first lunar landing since Apollo 17.
The takeaway
While the Artemis II mission won't include a moon landing, it represents a crucial step in NASA's long-term plans to return humans to the lunar surface and eventually send astronauts to Mars. The mission will allow the crew to test critical systems and gain valuable experience in the lunar environment, paving the way for future Artemis missions that will achieve the goal of landing astronauts on the moon.
