(Photo: NASA/ Aubrey Gemignani)
Kennedy Space Center, Merritt Island, FL — April 1, 2026
NASA has successfully launched its Artemis II mission, marking the first crewed deep-space flight in more than 50 years. Liftoff occurred this evening at 6:35 p.m. EDT from Launch Complex 39B aboard the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, sending the Orion spacecraft and its four-astronaut crew on a historic mission around the Moon.
The crew — Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, Mission Specialist Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen — entered a carefully calculated “free return” trajectory designed to carry them around the Moon and safely back to Earth.
A Historic Launch and Mission Overview
The launch marks a milestone in human spaceflight: the first crewed voyage beyond low-Earth orbit since the Apollo program. Artemis II’s flight will test deep-space systems, navigation, and astronaut performance in preparation for future lunar landings and Mars missions.
NASA officials confirmed that the launch went smoothly, with all systems performing nominally. The Orion spacecraft is now en route to its lunar flyby, which will occur in several days, offering astronauts unprecedented views of the Moon’s far side and the Earth from a distance greater than any humans have ever traveled.
“This is the beginning of a new era in human exploration,” said NASA Administrator. “Artemis II represents not only a tribute to our Apollo heritage but also the foundation for humanity’s sustainable presence in deep space.”
Next Steps for the Mission
Over the coming days, the crew will monitor spacecraft systems, conduct experiments, and prepare for the critical lunar flyby. The mission is expected to culminate in a Pacific splashdown on April 10, completing a journey that will set new distance records and provide invaluable data for future missions.
Artemis II has already captured the imagination of millions around the world, reigniting excitement for lunar exploration and demonstrating that humanity’s reach is extending beyond Earth orbit once again.