Florida: NASA has successfully launched the Artemis II mission, sending four astronauts into space aboard the Orion spacecraft for a planned journey around the Moon. The launch has taken place from Kennedy Space Center in Florida using the Space Launch System rocket, marking a historic milestone in modern space exploration.
The NASA-led mission is the first crewed lunar flight in more than 50 years, following the Apollo era. The approximately 10-day mission will test critical systems required for future human exploration beyond Earth, including life support and spacecraft performance with astronauts onboard.
The crew includes Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen. During the mission, the team will carry out a range of operational checks and demonstrations to ensure the spacecraft’s readiness for future missions that aim to land humans on the Moon.
Liftoff.
The Artemis II mission launched from @NASAKennedy at 6:35pm ET (2235 UTC), propelling four astronauts on a journey around the Moon.
Artemis II will pave the way for future Moon landings, as well as the next giant leap — astronauts on Mars. pic.twitter.com/ENQA4RTqAc
— NASA (@NASA) April 1, 2026
Shortly after launch, the Orion spacecraft deployed its solar arrays and transitioned into flight operations. Mission teams have begun evaluating key systems as the spacecraft enters its planned trajectory, which includes a high Earth orbit before heading towards the Moon.
NASA has planned a translunar injection manoeuvre to send Orion towards the Moon, where the spacecraft will perform a lunar flyby. During this phase, astronauts will observe and capture images of the Moon’s surface, including areas of the far side that are rarely seen from Earth.
Following the lunar flyby, NASA has scheduled the spacecraft to return to Earth and splash down in the Pacific Ocean. The Artemis II mission is expected to lay the groundwork for future missions, including establishing a sustained human presence on the Moon and supporting long-term goals of reaching Mars.
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