Artemis II Astronauts Embark on Historic Moon Journey

Four-person crew, including first Black, woman, and non-American astronauts, set to reach deeper into space than any humans since 1972

Apr. 3, 2026 at 5:38pm

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A bold, abstract painting in soft blues, greens, and oranges depicting sweeping geometric arcs, concentric circles, and precise spirals, conceptually representing the complex forces and concepts of the Artemis II mission to the moon.The Artemis II mission pushes the boundaries of human space exploration, with a diverse crew embarking on a historic journey around the moon.Houston Today

The Artemis II mission crossed a crucial milestone on Thursday as the Orion spacecraft ignited its engine, propelling four astronauts - NASA's Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency's Jeremy Hansen - toward the moon. This marks the first time humans have left Earth orbit since the Apollo 17 mission in 1972, and the first time a Black astronaut, a woman astronaut, and a non-American astronaut have ventured this far into space.

Why it matters

The Artemis II mission is a key step in NASA's long-term plan to return humans to the moon and eventually establish a lunar settlement. This historic flight will push the boundaries of human space exploration, setting new records and paving the way for future Artemis missions.

The details

During the over week-long journey, the four astronauts will live, work, and conduct science experiments inside the 16.5-foot-wide Orion capsule. The mission will include several milestones, such as a communications test with NASA's Deep Space Network, a lunar flyby that will take the crew farther than any humans have traveled before, and a special call to the astronauts aboard the International Space Station.

  • On April 3, 2026, the Orion spacecraft ignited its engine for a 5 minute and 50 second burn while 115 miles above Earth.
  • On Day 5 of the mission, the spacecraft will cross the threshold of the moon's sphere of influence.
  • On Day 6, the crew will perform a lunar flyby, surpassing the record for the farthest humans have traveled in space.

The players

Reid Wiseman

NASA astronaut and commander of the Artemis II mission.

Victor Glover

NASA astronaut, making his first deep space voyage.

Christina Koch

NASA astronaut, making history as the first woman to travel this far into space.

Jeremy Hansen

Canadian Space Agency astronaut, the first non-American to participate in an Artemis mission.

Jessica Meir

NASA astronaut currently aboard the International Space Station, who is excited to speak with the Artemis II crew.

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What they’re saying

“Humanity has once again shown what we are capable of, and it's your hopes for the future that carry us now on this journey around the moon.”

— Jeremy Hansen, Canadian Space Agency astronaut

“You could see the entire globe, from pole to pole. You could see Africa, Europe, and if you looked really close, you could see the northern lights. It was the most spectacular moment, and it paused all four of us in our tracks.”

— Reid Wiseman, NASA astronaut and mission commander

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

The Artemis II mission represents a significant milestone in human space exploration, pushing the boundaries of what's possible and inspiring people around the world. This historic flight, with its diverse crew, will pave the way for future Artemis missions and the eventual return of humans to the lunar surface.