Artemis II: Four Astronauts Embark on 10-Day Lunar Mission

The crew of NASA’s Artemis II mission is preparing for atmospheric reentry and splashdown on April 10, 2026, marking the conclusion of a 10-day test flight around the Moon.

The mission, which launched on April 1, 2026, carried four astronauts aboard the Orion spacecraft. The crew consists of NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, along with Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen.

Orion is currently on a trajectory for a precise splashdown in the Pacific Ocean, approximately 60 miles off the coast of San Diego. To ensure this landing, the spacecraft recently completed its third and final trajectory correction burn.

Breaking Spaceflight Distance Records

During the voyage, the Artemis II crew established a new record for the farthest distance humans have traveled from Earth. On April 6, 2026, the crew surpassed the previous record set by the Apollo 13 mission in 1970 when they reached a distance of 248,655 miles from Earth at 12:56 p.m. CDT.

NASA officials stated that the crew will reach a maximum distance of approximately 252,756 miles before looping back toward Earth.

The mission also included a close approach to the lunar surface, with Orion reaching a final closest distance of approximately 4,067 miles.

Mission Objectives and Operations

Artemis II served as a critical test flight for future crewed lunar missions. Throughout the journey, the four astronauts collected imagery of the Moon and tested the capabilities of the Orion spacecraft.

As the mission reaches its final stage on April 10, 2026, the crew has begun stowing gear and preparing for the return trip. This process includes donning spacesuits to strap in for the high-speed atmospheric reentry.

Dr. Lori Glaze, acting associate administrator for Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters, noted that the mission’s dedication to breaking records is intended to fuel hope for a bold future in exploration.

Future Lunar Goals

The successful completion of Artemis II paves the way for subsequent missions in the Artemis program. NASA is currently targeting 2028 for Artemis IV, which aims to achieve the first-ever landing of astronauts on the Moon’s South Pole.

This goal is part of a broader effort to explore the lunar South Pole, a region that is also the target of a planned crewed mission by China as early as 2030.