NASA Launches First Moon Mission in Over 50 Years

Artemis I uncrewed test flight marks a major milestone in the agency's return to lunar exploration.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 3:39am

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A highly structured abstract painting in soft, earthy tones of ochre, sage, and indigo, featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric planetary circles, and precise botanical spirals, conceptually representing the technical precision and complex forces involved in the Artemis I mission to the Moon.The Artemis I mission's complex systems and technologies are visualized in a bold, abstract painting, representing NASA's ambitious return to the Moon.Cape Canaveral Today

NASA has successfully launched the Artemis I mission, an uncrewed test flight of the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft that will pave the way for future crewed missions to the Moon. This marks the first time humans have attempted to reach the lunar surface since the final Apollo mission in 1972.

Why it matters

The Artemis program represents NASA's long-awaited return to the Moon, with the goal of establishing a sustainable human presence and preparing for future missions to Mars. This uncrewed test flight will validate key systems and technologies, laying the groundwork for Artemis astronauts to walk on the lunar surface as early as 2024.

The details

The Artemis I mission lifted off from Launch Complex 39B at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, sending the Orion spacecraft on a 25-day journey around the Moon. During the flight, Orion will travel farther than any spacecraft built for humans has ever flown, reaching a maximum distance from Earth of more than 40,000 miles.

  • The Artemis I mission launched on November 16, 2022.
  • Orion is expected to return to Earth and splash down in the Pacific Ocean on December 11, 2022.

The players

NASA

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the independent agency of the executive branch of the United States federal government responsible for the civilian space program, as well as aeronautics and space research.

Artemis Program

NASA's program to return humans to the Moon, with the goal of establishing a sustainable human presence and preparing for future missions to Mars.

Space Launch System (SLS)

NASA's new heavy-lift rocket that will provide the power to send Orion, astronauts, and cargo to the Moon as part of the Artemis program.

Orion Spacecraft

The spacecraft that will carry astronauts to the Moon as part of the Artemis program, and is designed to support human exploration of deep space.

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What they’re saying

“This is a historic moment for NASA and the Artemis program as we begin the next chapter of human exploration in space with the launch of the Artemis I mission.”

— Bill Nelson, NASA Administrator

“The Artemis I mission is a critical step in our plans to extend human exploration to the Moon and beyond. We're excited to see this launch and look forward to the valuable data it will provide.”

— Jim Free, NASA Associate Administrator for Exploration Systems Development

What’s next

If the Artemis I mission is successful, NASA plans to launch Artemis II, the first crewed mission around the Moon, as early as 2024. This will be followed by Artemis III, which aims to land astronauts on the lunar surface.

The takeaway

The Artemis I mission marks a significant milestone in NASA's ambitious plan to return humans to the Moon, paving the way for a new era of lunar exploration and potential future missions to Mars. This uncrewed test flight will help validate key technologies and systems, bringing the agency one step closer to its goal of establishing a sustainable human presence on the lunar surface.