Artemis II: Historic Lunar Flyby and Crew Return

NASA has successfully completed the lunar flyby phase of the Artemis II mission, marking the first crewed flight toward the Moon in 50 years. The 10-day mission serves as a critical test of deep space systems and the human-rated capabilities of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft, establishing the necessary framework for future lunar landings and eventual crewed missions to Mars.

The mission launched on April 1, 2026, carrying a crew of four astronauts. Following a successful Perigee Raise Burn, the crew and mission control completed a Go poll for Trans-Lunar Injection on April 2, 2026, at 7:50 PM EDT. This maneuver placed the Orion spacecraft on a free-return trajectory, ensuring the crew could return to Earth using lunar gravity.

Crew and Historic Milestones

The Artemis II crew consists of Commander Reid Wiseman and Pilot Victor Glover from NASA, alongside NASA Mission Specialist Christina Koch and Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Jeremy Hansen. The mission established several historic firsts for human spaceflight beyond Low Earth Orbit (LEO).

• Victor Glover is the first person of color to travel beyond LEO.
• Christina Koch is the first woman to enter the vicinity of the Moon.
• Jeremy Hansen is the first non-US citizen to travel beyond LEO.

Technical Infrastructure and Flight Dynamics

The mission utilized the SLS, NASA’s heavy-lift rocket, which provided 8.8 million pounds of liftoff thrust to propel the 5.75-million-pound vehicle. The Orion spacecraft functioned as the primary exploration vehicle, designed to sustain the crew during the transit and ensure a safe return to Earth.

During the journey, the crew eclipsed the previous record for the farthest human spaceflight. The mission’s trajectory required precise maneuvers, including a return correction burn completed on Flight Day 7 to initiate the journey back to Earth.

Lunar Flyby and Scientific Data Acquisition

On April 6, 2026, the Orion spacecraft conducted a seven-hour flyby of the lunar far side. During this phase, the crew experienced a planned 40-minute loss of contact with mission control as the spacecraft circled behind the Moon.

The crew used a fleet of cameras to capture thousands of images, including documentation of impact craters, surface fractures, and ancient lava flows. These images are intended to provide scientists with data regarding the Moon’s geologic evolution. One notable capture from April 6, 2026, featured the Moon backlit by the Sun during a rare in-space solar eclipse, with Saturn and Mars also visible in the frame.

Our four Artemis II astronauts — Reid, Victor, Christina, and Jeremy — took humanity on an incredible journey around the Moon and brought back images so exquisite and brimming with science, they will inspire generations to come

Dr. Nicky Fox, associate administrator, Science Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters

Return Phase and Reentry Parameters

As of April 8, 2026, the crew is headed home toward Earth. Following the completion of the return correction burn on Flight Day 7, the crew conducted a long-distance call to Earth and the International Space Station (ISS) crew.

The return phase will involve a high-velocity reentry, with the Orion spacecraft expected to hit the atmosphere at a speed of 25,000 mph. The mission’s planned splashdown target is the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego, where the crew will be recovered by the US Navy.