Artemis II Astronauts Depart Earth Orbit for Historic Lunar Flyby

NASA's new moon mission marks the first crewed flight beyond Earth in over 50 years.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 2:13am

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A vibrant, abstract painting depicting the Artemis II spacecraft's trajectory as it departs Earth orbit and flies around the Moon, using bold geometric shapes and soft, flat colors to convey the structural order and precision of the mission.Artemis II's historic lunar flyby mission will pave the way for future human exploration of the Moon.Houston Today

In a historic milestone, NASA's Artemis II mission successfully launched its four-person crew on a trajectory to fly around the Moon. At approximately 7:50 p.m. ET on April 2, astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch departed Earth orbit, marking the first time since the Apollo program that humans have traveled beyond low-Earth orbit.

Why it matters

The Artemis II mission is a crucial step in NASA's ambitious plan to return humans to the lunar surface, with the ultimate goal of establishing a sustainable presence on and around the Moon. This mission will test key systems and pave the way for future Artemis landings, while also reigniting public interest in space exploration.

The details

Artemis II will spend approximately 10 days in space, including a close flyby of the Moon at an altitude of about 60 miles. The crew will conduct a series of scientific experiments and technology demonstrations during the mission before safely returning to Earth.

  • Artemis II launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida at approximately 7:50 p.m. ET on April 2, 2026.
  • The spacecraft is expected to reach the Moon and perform its lunar flyby in the coming days.

The players

Artemis II

NASA's second mission in the Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the Moon for the first time since the Apollo era.

Reid Wiseman

NASA astronaut and mission commander for Artemis II.

Victor Glover

NASA astronaut and pilot for Artemis II.

Christina Koch

NASA astronaut and mission specialist for Artemis II.

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What they’re saying

“This is a momentous occasion for NASA and the entire space community. We're thrilled to be a part of this historic mission that will pave the way for future Artemis landings on the lunar surface.”

— Reid Wiseman, Artemis II Mission Commander

What’s next

After the successful lunar flyby, Artemis II will return to Earth, with a planned splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. NASA will then analyze the mission data and continue preparations for Artemis III, which aims to land astronauts on the Moon.

The takeaway

The Artemis II mission marks a significant milestone in humanity's return to the Moon, demonstrating the capabilities of NASA's new Orion spacecraft and Space Launch System rocket. This mission will pave the way for future Artemis landings and the establishment of a sustainable lunar presence, reigniting global interest in space exploration.