Artemis II mission complete! The crew splashed down on April 10, 2026 after flying past the Moon. Artemis III will test systems in Earth orbit in 2027, Artemis IV will return humanity to the Moon in 2028.
The first crewed mission of the Artemis program
Launched on April 1, 2026 at 6:35 PM EDT from Pad 39B at Kennedy Space Center. Four astronauts completed the lunar flyby on April 6 at about 6,500 km from the surface, setting a new distance record from Earth (252,756 miles / 406,700 km). Perfect splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off San Diego on April 10 at 8:07 PM EDT. Recovered by USS John P. Murtha. Mission duration: approximately 10 days.
Reid Wiseman (NASA) - Commander
Victor Glover (NASA) - Pilot
Christina Koch (NASA) - Mission Specialist
Jeremy Hansen (CSA) - Mission Specialist
All in excellent condition after splashdown.
Surpassed Apollo 13's distance record from Earth: 252,756 miles (406,700 km). First crewed splashdown returning from the Moon since 1972 (Apollo 17). Optical laser communications (over 100 GB transmitted). Re-entry at 3.9 G with heat shield temperatures of approximately 3,000°F (1,650°C).
Rendezvous and docking tests in low Earth orbit (LEO) with one or both commercial landers: SpaceX Starship HLS and Blue Origin Blue Moon.
First microgravity tests of the new AxEMU spacesuits developed by Axiom Space (Critical Design Sync Review completed, over 850 hours of pressurized testing), which will later be used for lunar surface walks during Artemis IV.
Verification of life support, communications, propulsion and navigation systems of docked vehicles, in a safe orbital environment before the landing.
Two astronauts will descend to the lunar South Pole aboard Starship HLS to collect samples, study water ice deposits and conduct scientific experiments.
The first Moon landing since 1972, with the first woman and first person of color to walk on the lunar surface. Approximately 6 days on the surface.
The Moon serves as a testing ground for technologies and procedures needed for future human missions to Mars.
The SLS rocket is the most powerful launch vehicle ever built by NASA. At 98 meters tall with 39.1 meganewtons of thrust, it can carry over 27 tonnes to the Moon.
Orion (Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle) is the capsule designed to transport astronauts into deep space. Built by Lockheed Martin, with the European Service Module provided by ESA.
SpaceX won the NASA contract to develop a Starship variant as the lunar lander. It will carry 2 astronauts from lunar orbit to the surface and back during Artemis IV.
The Artemis III and IV crews have not yet been officially announced
With Artemis IV, for the first time in history, a woman will walk on the lunar surface.
The crew will represent the diversity of humanity in this historic mission.
Four astronauts per mission. On Artemis IV, two will descend to the lunar surface.
SLS lifts off from Kennedy Space Center in Florida with Orion and 4 astronauts.
Orion travels to the Moon on a trans-lunar injection trajectory.
Orion docks with Gateway station in lunar orbit. The crew prepares for descent.
2 astronauts transfer from Gateway to Starship HLS and descend to the surface at the South Pole.
Moonwalks in AxEMU suits, sample collection, field geology, instrument deployment.
Starship ascends to orbit and re-docks with Orion.
Orion undocks and returns to Earth with splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.