Artemis II mission complete! Four astronauts flew past the Moon and splashed down in the Pacific Ocean on April 10, 2026. The first crewed deep space flight since 1972 was a resounding success.
Artemis II - Total mission duration (April 1-10, 2026) - Mission successfully completed
Four astronauts safely returned after the first crewed flight around the Moon since 1972
Orion splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off San Diego on April 10, 2026 at 8:07 PM EDT, after approximately 10 days in space. The crew was recovered by the USS John P. Murtha and is in excellent condition. Distance record from Earth: 406,700 km (252,756 miles).
The figures defining humanity's return to the Moon
The most recent updates on the Artemis mission
Artemis II successfully splashed down in the Pacific Ocean on April 10, 2026. Four astronauts safely returned after flying past the Moon and setting a new distance record from Earth (406,700 km). Mission duration: approximately 10 days.
Source: NASA Artemis
NASA restructured the program: Artemis III becomes a LEO test mission (2027), the first lunar landing moves to Artemis IV (2028). EUS and SLS Block 1B/2 cancelled.
Source: NASA Artemis
Artemis IV will return humanity to the Moon for the first time since 1972, with the first woman and first person of color on the lunar surface.
Source: NASA
Key milestones of the Artemis program
First uncrewed test flight of the SLS and Orion system around the Moon.
CompletedFirst crewed mission. Lunar flyby April 6, splashdown April 10. Earth distance record surpassed.
CompletedLEO test mission: rendezvous with commercial landers and AxEMU spacesuit testing.
PlannedFirst Moon landing. Two astronauts will walk on the lunar surface at the South Pole.
TargetThe technology bringing us back to the Moon
Space Launch System - NASA's most powerful rocket ever built, capable of sending Orion beyond Earth orbit.
The capsule that will transport astronauts from Earth to lunar orbit and safely back home.
SpaceX's lunar lander that will carry astronauts from lunar orbit to the surface and back.