ARTEMIS II : A HIGH STAKES TEST DRIVE
It’s a historic week for humanity! As we speak, the Artemis II crew is currently hurtling through the vacuum of space, completing the final leg of a journey that has captivated the world. After 54 years of waiting, humans have finally returned to the lunar neighborhood.
Here is everything you need to know about the mission that just redefined our reach in the stars.
Launched on April 1, 2026, Artemis II is the first crewed mission of NASA’s Artemis program. Unlike the Apollo missions, which were about planting flags and leaving footprints, Artemis II is a "Free Return Trajectory" mission.
This is the ultimate road test. The crew didn't land on the surface; instead, they used the Moon's gravity as a slingshot to swing around the far side and head back home.
The Launch: The Space Launch System (SLS) rocket—the most powerful in the world—roared to life from Kennedy Space Center, carrying the Orion spacecraft (nicknamed Integrity by the crew).
Record Breaking: On April 6, the crew officially broke the distance record for humans in space, surpassing the mark set by the Apollo 13 crew in 1970 (248,655 miles from Earth).
The Flyby: At their closest approach, the astronauts were just 4,067 miles above the lunar surface, capturing breathtaking "Earth set" photos that have already become iconic.
MEET THE "FANTASTIC FOUR"
The Artemis II crew isn't just a team of elite pilots; they represent a new era of inclusivity in space exploration.
Reid Wiseman - Commander - Former Navy test pilot leading the charge.
Victor Glover - Pilot - The first Black person to travel to the Moon.
Christina Koch - Mission Specialist - The first woman to travel to the Moon.
Jeremy Hansen - Mission Specialist - Representing the CSA; the first Canadian to reach lunar space.
Living in a capsule roughly the size of a large SUV for ten days isn't all "scenic views." The crew has been busy:
Testing "The Loo": Space toilets are notoriously finicky. After some early mission "hiccups," the Orion’s waste management system is reportedly working smoothly again.
Proximity Ops: On Day 1, the crew manually piloted Orion to practice docking maneuvers, a skill that will be vital for Artemis III when astronauts actually land on the Moon.
The Playlist: NASA’s wake-up calls are back! The crew has been greeted by tracks like "Tokyo Drifting" by Glass Animals and "Lonesome Drifter" by Charley Crockett.
THROUGH THE LENS : SEEING THE UNSEEN
During their seven-hour flyby of the lunar far side, the Artemis II crew transformed the Orion spacecraft into a world-class orbital observatory. Armed with high-powered 400mm lenses and months of specialized geological photography training, they sent back a gallery that has already been etched into history.
WHAT'S NEXT : THE FINAL SPLASHDOWN
As of April 9, 2026, the crew is currently in "packing mode." They are stowing gear and preparing for the most intense part of the journey: re-entry.
Re-entry: Orion will hit Earth’s atmosphere at speeds of nearly 25,000 mph.
Splashdown: Scheduled for Friday, April 10, at 5:07 p.m. PDT in the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of San Diego.
Recovery: The USS John P. Murtha is already in position to fish the capsule and its history-making occupants out of the water.
Artemis II is the "proof of concept." By successfully sustaining four humans in deep space, NASA is clearing the path for Artemis III (currently slated for 2027/2028), which will see the first woman and first person of color actually step onto the lunar South Pole.
We aren't just visiting the Moon anymore; we’re learning how to live there.
"We have loved living in Orion... you can forget where you really are because we're in this small space that just gives us everything we need."
— Christina Koch, speaking from lunar orbit.
Welcome home, Artemis II. We’ll see you at splashdown!
Follow along for more updates as we transition from the Moon to the upcoming Mars preparations!
