Artemis II Crew Enjoys Smooth Journey to the Moon

NASA officials report the astronauts are in great spirits as the mission progresses.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 10:20pm

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A bold, abstract painting in the style of Hilma af Klint, featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric circles, and precise spirals in earthy tones of green, blue, and gold, representing the complex forces and concepts of the Artemis II mission to the Moon.The Artemis II mission's smooth progress to the Moon showcases NASA's technological prowess and the agency's commitment to pushing the boundaries of human space exploration.Houston Today

The four-person crew of the Artemis II lunar mission, including Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen, have been busy but in good spirits as they travel to the Moon. The crew has had opportunities to speak with their families, conduct medical checks, and take stunning photos of the Earth and its auroras. NASA officials say the spacecraft's engine firing on Thursday went as planned, putting Orion on course for a Moon flyby on Monday before splashdown in the Pacific on April 10.

Why it matters

The successful progress of the Artemis II mission is a critical milestone in NASA's ambitious plan to return humans to the lunar surface. This uncrewed test flight paves the way for the Artemis III mission, which aims to land astronauts on the Moon for the first time since the Apollo program.

The details

During the third day of the Artemis II mission, the four-person crew has been able to take a bit more time to speak with their families, conduct medical checks, and capture stunning imagery of the Earth and its auroras. NASA officials report the crew is in 'great spirits' and that the spacecraft's engine firing on Thursday, which put Orion on course for the Moon, went as planned.

  • The Artemis II mission began on April 3, 2026.
  • The spacecraft's main engine fired on the evening of April 4, 2026, setting it on course for the Moon.
  • Artemis II will make its closest approach to the Moon on April 7, 2026.
  • The Artemis II crew is scheduled to splash down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Southern California on April 10, 2026.

The players

Reid Wiseman

The commander of the Artemis II mission.

Victor Glover

One of the four astronauts on the Artemis II crew.

Christina Koch

One of the four astronauts on the Artemis II crew.

Jeremy Hansen

One of the four astronauts on the Artemis II crew.

Lakiesha Hawkins

A senior exploration official at NASA.

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What they’re saying

“'They are in great spirits. Obviously, they've been very, very busy, especially leading up to the translunar injection.'”

— Lakiesha Hawkins, Senior Exploration Official, NASA

What’s next

The Artemis II crew will make their closest approach to the Moon on Monday, April 7, 2026, before splashing down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Southern California on Friday, April 10, 2026.

The takeaway

The successful progress of the Artemis II mission represents a significant step forward in NASA's plans to return humans to the lunar surface. The crew's positive spirits and the smooth execution of key milestones, such as the engine firing that put the spacecraft on course for the Moon, bode well for the future of the Artemis program.