Artemis II Lifts Off, Sending First Humans to Moon Since 1972

Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen joins historic crew for lunar voyage

Apr. 3, 2026 at 2:25pm

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A bold, abstract painting in soft earth tones featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric circles, and precise spirals, conceptually representing the complex forces and concepts behind the Artemis II mission to the Moon.The Artemis II mission marks a historic return to the Moon, harnessing the power of science and technology to push the boundaries of human exploration.Cape Canaveral Today

Professor and planetary geologist Gordon Osinski witnessed the thrilling liftoff of NASA's Artemis II mission, which will send the first humans to the Moon since 1972. The mission includes Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen, the first non-American to fly to the lunar surface, as well as the first woman and person of color to reach the Moon. Osinski, a member of the Artemis Lunar Surface Science Team, describes the emotional buildup to the launch and the significance of this milestone in space exploration.

Why it matters

The Artemis II mission marks a major step forward in NASA's ambitious Artemis program to return humans to the Moon. This flight will test the Orion spacecraft and lay the groundwork for future Artemis missions that aim to establish a sustainable lunar presence. The inclusion of international partners like Canada, as well as the diversity of the crew, underscores the global collaboration and inclusive vision for this new era of lunar exploration.

The details

After some initial delays, the Artemis II rocket successfully lifted off from the Kennedy Space Center on April 1, 2026. The 2,600-metric-ton spacecraft carried a crew of three: NASA astronauts Christina Koch and Victor Glover, as well as Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen. During the 10-day mission, the crew will test the Orion spacecraft's systems and conduct scientific experiments, paving the way for future Artemis missions that will land astronauts on the lunar surface.

  • The Artemis II rocket lifted off at 6:35 p.m. EDT on April 1, 2026.
  • The crew is now in a high-Earth orbit, reaching a maximum distance of 74,000 km from Earth.
  • Over the next 10 days, the crew will conduct tests and experiments before attempting the translunar injection to send the spacecraft to the Moon.

The players

Gordon Osinski

A professor, explorer, and planetary geologist who is a member of the First Artemis Lunar Surface Science Team, supporting NASA in developing geology training for Artemis astronauts.

Jeremy Hansen

A Canadian astronaut who will be the first non-American to fly to the Moon, making Canada the second country to send an astronaut into deep space.

Christina Koch

A NASA astronaut who will become the first woman to fly to the Moon.

Victor Glover

A NASA astronaut who will become the first person of color to fly to the Moon.

Mike Greenly

The CEO of MDA Space, who announced the limited edition 'moonbits' from Tim Hortons for the Canadian invitees to the launch.

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What they’re saying

“It is our strong hope that this Artemis mission is the start of an era where everyone, every person on Earth can look at it and think of it as also a destination.”

— Christina Koch, NASA Astronaut

What’s next

If the initial tests of the Orion spacecraft's systems are successful, NASA will clear the crew to conduct the translunar injection and send the spacecraft on its way to the Moon.

The takeaway

The Artemis II mission represents a significant milestone in the renewed effort to return humans to the Moon, with the inclusion of international partners and a diverse crew underscoring the global and inclusive vision for this new era of lunar exploration. The successful launch lays the groundwork for future Artemis missions that aim to establish a sustainable presence on the lunar surface.