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Artemis II Mission to Explore Radiation, Health Impacts in Space
NASA's next crewed lunar flight will study the effects of long-term space travel on the human body.
Apr. 16, 2026 at 12:28am
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The Artemis II mission will provide critical data on the physiological challenges of deep space travel, informing future crewed missions to the Moon and beyond.Daytona Beach TodayThe upcoming Artemis II mission, NASA's first crewed flight around the Moon since the Apollo program, will provide critical data on the health impacts of extended space travel. The mission, scheduled for late 2024, will send four astronauts on a 10-day journey to orbit the lunar surface, allowing researchers to study the effects of radiation exposure and other stresses on the human body during long-duration spaceflight.
Why it matters
As NASA prepares for future Artemis missions that will land astronauts on the Moon, understanding the physiological challenges of deep space exploration is essential. The Artemis II flight will help pave the way for longer-term Moon stays and, eventually, crewed missions to Mars by giving scientists a better grasp of the medical risks involved.
The details
During the Artemis II mission, the four-person crew will travel approximately 280,000 miles from Earth, venturing far beyond the protective magnetic field that shields our planet from cosmic radiation. The astronauts will undergo extensive medical monitoring and testing to measure the impact of this radiation exposure, as well as the effects of microgravity, isolation, and other stresses of spaceflight on the human body.
- The Artemis II mission is scheduled to launch in late 2024.
- The crewed flight around the Moon will last approximately 10 days.
The players
NASA
The United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the government agency responsible for the Artemis program and the upcoming Artemis II mission.
Artemis II
The second mission in NASA's Artemis program, which will send four astronauts on a crewed flight around the Moon.
What they’re saying
“The Artemis II mission will give us critical insights into how the human body responds to the rigors of deep space exploration, paving the way for future long-duration missions to the Moon and beyond.”
— Jim Bridenstine, Former NASA Administrator
What’s next
After the successful completion of Artemis II, NASA plans to launch the Artemis III mission, which will land the first woman and next man on the lunar surface.
The takeaway
The Artemis II mission represents a major milestone in NASA's ambitious Artemis program, which aims to establish a sustainable human presence on the Moon. By studying the health impacts of deep space travel, this mission will help pave the way for future crewed missions to the lunar surface and potentially even Mars.
