Everything you need to know about Nasa’s Artemis II mission

On April 1, NASA’s Artemis II mission marked the return of crewed lunar exploration after over half a century. This 10-day journey will push astronauts further into space than any mission since the 1960s and 70s, with the crew circumnavigating the Moon rather than landing on its surface. The goal is to prepare for a future landing, potentially as early as the 2020s.

Technical hurdles before launch

Technical difficulties created tension in the hours leading up to the mission. Both the flight termination system, which would jettison the rocket if it deviates from its path, and a critical battery in the Launch Abort System experienced issues. Engineers resolved these concerns, allowing the mission to proceed. Post-launch, a brief communication interruption temporarily silenced contact with the crew, while a malfunction in the onboard toilet was later corrected.

“We are going for all humanity,” stated mission specialist Jeremy Hansen during the countdown.

Weather conditions and the Moon’s orbital position were key factors in scheduling the launch. The crew lifted off at 18:35 CDT (23:35 BST), with NASA technicians closely monitoring the ascent. As the rocket climbed, observers witnessed the separation of the twin boosters, which propelled it to speeds exceeding 10,000mph (16,100km/h).

Crew and historic milestones

The Artemis II team—comprising Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen—embarked on the first crewed test flight of NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion capsule. Hansen, representing the Canadian Space Agency, will become the first Canadian to travel to the Moon. During the mission, they will assess Orion’s performance in Earth’s orbit, practicing maneuvers essential for future lunar landings.

Testing systems and preparing for the future

Once in orbit, the astronauts will evaluate the spacecraft’s life-support, propulsion, power, and navigation systems by venturing beyond the Moon. They will also serve as medical test subjects, transmitting data about radiation exposure in deep space. Though levels are higher than on the International Space Station, they remain within safe limits. The crew will return via a turbulent re-entry, splashing down in the Pacific off the U.S. west coast.

Artemis II is a stepping stone toward Artemis IV, slated for 2028, which aims to land humans at the Moon’s south pole. Before that, NASA will conduct Artemis III in 2027 to refine rendezvous and docking procedures with lunar landers and test new spacesuits. The agency has selected two commercial landers—SpaceX’s Starship and Blue Origin’s craft—for future missions, with final decisions pending closer to launch dates.

Artemis missions will eventually focus on establishing a permanent lunar presence. This includes building a Moon base, conducting regular crewed landings, and introducing surface modules and robotic rovers. International collaboration will expand, enabling astronauts from more nations to work on and around the Moon for extended periods. The last crewed Moon mission, Apollo 17, touched down in December 1972 and returned to Earth later that month. A total of 24 astronauts have ventured to the Moon through NASA’s historic programs.