NASA's Artemis II Astronauts Embark on Historic Lunar Flyby

Stunning images capture the launch, crew, and new views of the Moon during the 10-day mission.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 10:11pm

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A bold, abstract painting in earthy tones of green, blue, and brown, featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric circles, and precise spirals, conveying the complex forces and concepts of the Artemis II lunar mission without using any text or symbols.The Artemis II mission breaks new ground in humanity's exploration of the Moon, capturing stunning new perspectives and scientific data to guide future lunar voyages.Cape Canaveral Today

NASA's Artemis II mission launched on April 1, 2026, sending four astronauts on a 10-day journey around the Moon and back. The crew, including Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen, lifted off from Kennedy Space Center in Florida aboard the Orion spacecraft atop the SLS rocket. During the mission, the astronauts captured breathtaking images of the Moon, Earth, and their spacecraft, breaking the record for the furthest distance traveled by humans from our planet.

Why it matters

The Artemis II mission marks a significant milestone in NASA's Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the Moon for the first time since the Apollo era. The stunning images and new perspectives captured by the crew provide valuable scientific data and insights, while also inspiring the public and sparking renewed interest in space exploration.

The details

The Artemis II crew conducted a series of lunar observations and experiments during their 10-day mission, including a close flyby of the far side of the Moon. They captured detailed images of lunar features like the Orientale basin, Vavilov crater, and the transition between the near and far sides of the Moon. The astronauts also took a memorable 'lunar selfie' and photographed the Earth setting over the Moon's limb.

  • Artemis II launched on April 1, 2026 from Kennedy Space Center.
  • The crew reached the furthest distance from Earth on April 6, 2026, breaking the previous record set by Apollo 13.
  • The mission lasted 10 days, with the astronauts returning to Earth on April 11, 2026.

The players

Reid Wiseman

The commander of the Artemis II mission, a veteran NASA astronaut who has previously flown on the International Space Station.

Victor Glover

The pilot of the Artemis II spacecraft, a former U.S. Navy test pilot making his first spaceflight.

Christina Koch

A mission specialist on Artemis II, an experienced astronaut who has spent over 300 days in space on previous missions.

Jeremy Hansen

A Canadian Space Agency astronaut serving as a mission specialist on the Artemis II crew.

NASA

The U.S. space agency leading the Artemis program and overseeing the Artemis II mission.

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What they’re saying

“We are honored to be the first crew to venture beyond low-Earth orbit in over 50 years. This mission is a critical step towards returning humans to the lunar surface.”

— Reid Wiseman, Artemis II Mission Commander

“The views of the Moon and Earth from this distance are truly breathtaking. We're excited to share these new perspectives with the world.”

— Christina Koch, Artemis II Mission Specialist

What’s next

The successful completion of the Artemis II mission paves the way for the Artemis III mission, which aims to land astronauts on the lunar surface as early as 2027. NASA is currently working on the development of the Artemis lunar lander and other critical systems needed for a crewed lunar landing.

The takeaway

The Artemis II mission represents a major milestone in humanity's return to the Moon, providing valuable scientific data and inspiring the public with stunning new views of our celestial neighbor. This mission lays the groundwork for future Artemis flights that will establish a sustainable human presence on the lunar surface, furthering our understanding of the Moon and paving the way for future deep-space exploration.