NASA's Artemis II Lunar Mission Launches with 4 Astronauts

The SLS heavy launch vehicle successfully lifted off from Florida with the Orion spacecraft and crew on board.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 3:33am

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NASA's Artemis II lunar mission successfully launched from a site in Florida, with the SLS heavy launch vehicle carrying the Orion spacecraft and a crew of 4 astronauts on board. This marks the first crewed mission of the Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the Moon.

Why it matters

The Artemis II mission is a critical step in NASA's plans to establish a long-term human presence on and around the Moon. The successful launch of this uncrewed test flight paves the way for future Artemis missions that will land astronauts on the lunar surface for the first time since the Apollo program.

The details

The SLS rocket, standing 322 feet tall, lifted off from Launch Complex 39B at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Orion spacecraft, which will carry the astronauts, separated from the rocket's upper stage about 2 hours into the flight. The spacecraft is designed to sustain the crew during the multi-week mission, including life support systems and a service module to provide power, propulsion, and other functions.

  • The launch took place on April 2, 2026 at 3:33 AM EDT.

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 presence on and around the lunar surface.

SLS Rocket

The Space Launch System, a super heavy-lift launch vehicle developed by NASA for the Artemis program.

Orion Spacecraft

The Orion multi-purpose crew vehicle, designed to carry astronauts to the Moon and beyond as part of the Artemis program.

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What they’re saying

“This successful launch is a major milestone for the Artemis program and a critical step towards our goal of returning humans to the lunar surface.”

— Bill Nelson, NASA Administrator

What’s next

The Orion spacecraft is expected to enter a distant retrograde orbit around the Moon over the next few days, before returning to Earth for a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean in approximately 3 weeks.

The takeaway

The Artemis II mission marks the first crewed flight of the SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft, paving the way for future Artemis missions that will land astronauts on the Moon for the first time since the Apollo program. This successful launch is a significant milestone in NASA's efforts to establish a sustainable human presence on and around the lunar surface.