Liftoff! Artemis II Astronauts Begin Historic Moon Mission

Crew starts journey that will take it farther from Earth than any human has ventured.

Jack Daleo

Thursday, April 02, 2026 at 09:32 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion crew capsule carrying four astronauts blast off from Launch Complex 39B at Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 6:35 p.m. EDT. [Credit: NASA | Joel Kowsky]

Key Takeaways:

Artemis II has successfully launched, sending four astronauts on a 10-day journey around the moon, marking the first human lunar mission in over half a century and the debut crewed flight of NASA's SLS rocket and Orion capsule.
The mission, which will not land on the moon, is designed to test critical spacecraft systems, mission profiles, and astronaut capabilities, acting as a vital precursor to future lunar landings and the establishment of a permanent moon base.
Its success is crucial for the entire Artemis campaign, directly impacting the schedule and viability of subsequent missions, including the Artemis III lunar landing and long-term goals of sustained lunar presence.

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For the first time in more than half a century, human astronauts are heading to the moon.

Launch Complex 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida erupted in flames Wednesday evening as the agency’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket fired its boosters and engines, generating 8.8 million pounds of thrust and sending four astronauts—three American, one Canadian—on a 10-day trip around the moon and back.