Photo: NASA — SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft at Launch Pad 39B, Kennedy Space Center
Mission Overview
Artemis II is the first crewed flight of NASA's Artemis program — a 10-day mission sending 4 astronauts on a lunar flyby. This will be the first time humans have ventured beyond low Earth orbit since Apollo 17 in 1972. The Orion spacecraft will fly approximately 6,400 miles beyond the far side of the Moon before returning to Earth on a free-return trajectory. NASA is simultaneously advancing the NASA ESCAPADE Mars mission and scientists recently announced the Europa ocean discovery — parallel leaps in space exploration.
The Artemis II Crew
Reid Wiseman
NASAVeteran astronaut, spent 165 days on ISS
Victor Glover
NASAF/A-18 fighter pilot, SpaceX Crew-1 astronaut
Christina Koch
NASAFirst woman to fly to the Moon, holds record 328 days in space
Jeremy Hansen
CSAFirst non-American to fly to the Moon, CF-18 pilot
Photo: NASA — Astronaut in space — Artemis II mission concept
Spacecraft & Rocket
Orion MPCV
- Crew Module: 316 ft³ habitable volume
- European Service Module (ESM) provides power & propulsion
- Heat shield withstands 5,000°F during reentry
- Launch Abort System (LAS) for crew safety
SLS Block 1
- Height: 322 feet — most powerful rocket ever built
- Thrust: 8.8 million lbs at liftoff
- 4 RS-25 engines + 2 solid rocket boosters
- Propellant: liquid hydrogen + liquid oxygen
Mission Timeline
Photo: NASA — Full Moon — destination of the Artemis II mission
Apollo vs Artemis
| Apollo (1969-72) | Artemis II (2026) | |
|---|---|---|
| Crew Size | 3 | 4 |
| Duration | 8-12 days | ~10 days |
| Rocket | Saturn V | SLS Block 1 |
| Spacecraft | Apollo CM | Orion MPCV |
| Thrust | 7.5M lbs | 8.8M lbs |
| Landing? | Yes (6 times) | No (flyby) |
Artemis Program Roadmap
Uncrewed test flight around the Moon
Crewed lunar flyby
Lunar landing — south pole
Lunar orbital space station
Why This Mission Matters
Artemis II isn't just a flight — it's a historic turning point. The last time humans left low Earth orbit was 1972. Christina Koch will become the first woman to fly to the Moon, and Jeremy Hansen the first non-American. This mission tests every system needed for Artemis III — humanity's next lunar landing.
▸ This will be the first time humans leave low Earth orbit since 1972 -- 54 years of waiting
▸ Christina Koch will become the first woman to fly to the Moon -- a historic milestone
▸ This mission tests every system needed for Artemis III -- humanity's next lunar landing
Watch the Launch
NASA TV
Free livestream at nasa.gov/live
YouTube
Official NASA channel streams in HD
Kennedy Space Center
Watch in person from Florida, limited tickets
Social Media
X, Instagram, Facebook for real-time updates
References
Frequently Asked Questions
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