Artemis II: Leading the Return to Lunar Orbit

On April 1, 2026, NASA launched the Artemis II mission, marking a historic milestone in human space exploration. This mission represents the first crewed flight around the Moon since Apollo 17 in 1972, signaling a recent era of deep-space exploration and testing the capabilities of the Orion spacecraft for future lunar landings.

The Crew of Artemis II

The mission is led by a diverse crew of experienced astronauts and specialists, each bringing critical expertise to the 10-day test flight:

• Reid Wiseman: Mission Commander and U.S. Navy Captain (Ret.).
• Victor Glover: Pilot.
• Christina Koch: Mission Specialist.
• Jeremy Hansen: Mission Specialist from the Canadian Space Agency (CSA).

Commander Reid Wiseman: A Legacy of Leadership

Commander Reid Wiseman brings decades of experience to the Artemis II mission. A 27-year Navy veteran and former fighter pilot, Wiseman was selected as a NASA astronaut in 2009. He previously served as the 17th chief of the Astronaut Office from 2020 to 2022.

Wiseman’s spaceflight experience includes a 165-day mission to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of Expedition 41 in 2014. During that mission, he served as the lead spacewalker for two trips outside the orbital complex, totaling nearly 13 hours of EVA time. With the launch of Artemis II, Wiseman has become the oldest human to travel beyond low Earth orbit at age 50.

Mission Objectives and the Orion Spacecraft

The primary goal of Artemis II is to test the Orion spacecraft’s systems during a lunar flyby. Launched by the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket from Launch Pad 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, the crew is executing an approximately 10-day mission.

Early mission successes include the completion of the translunar injection burn. Following this maneuver, Commander Wiseman captured some of the first downlinked images from the mission, including a photograph of Earth featuring two auroras and zodiacal light as the Earth eclipsed the Sun.

Key Takeaways: Artemis II Mission

• Historical Significance: First crewed lunar mission since 1972.
• Crew Composition: Three NASA astronauts and one CSA astronaut.
• Spacecraft: Orion, launched via the SLS rocket.
• Milestone: Reid Wiseman is the first person to command a lunar mission since Gene Cernan.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the Artemis II mission?

The mission is designed as an approximately 10-day test flight around the Moon and back to Earth.

Who is the commander of Artemis II?

The mission is commanded by NASA astronaut and retired U.S. Navy Captain Reid Wiseman.

What makes this mission different from the Apollo missions?

Although Apollo focused on landing humans on the Moon, Artemis II is a critical test flight to verify the Orion spacecraft’s systems and crew readiness for future lunar surface landings.

Looking Ahead

The success of Artemis II paves the way for subsequent missions aimed at returning humans to the lunar surface. By testing the endurance of the crew and the reliability of the Orion spacecraft in deep space, NASA is establishing the foundation for a sustainable human presence on and around the Moon.