Artemis II facts for kids

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Artemis II
Spacecraft properties
Earthset Taken by Artemis II astronaut Reid Wiseman
Names	Artemis II Exploration Mission-2 (EM-2)

Mission type	Crewed lunar flyby
Operator	NASA
Mission duration	9 days, 1 hour, 32 minutes and 15 seconds
Distance travelled	694,481 mi (1,117,659 km; 603,487 nmi)


Spacecraft	Orion CM-003 Integrity ESM-2
Manufacturer	Orion: Lockheed Martin ESM: Airbus
Launch mass	78,000 lb (35,000 kg)
Landing mass	20,500 lb (9,300 kg)


Crew
Crew size	4
Members	Reid Wiseman Victor Glover Christina Koch Jeremy Hansen


Start of mission
Launch date	April 1, 2026, 22:35:12 UTC (6:35:12 p.m. EDT)
Rocket	Space Launch System
Launch site	Kennedy, LC-39B


End of mission
Recovered by	USS John P. Murtha
Landing date	April 11, 2026, 00:07:27 UTC (April 10, 5:07:27 p.m. PDT)
Landing site	Pacific Ocean southwest of San Diego


Earth orbiter
Orbital departure	April 2, 2026, 23:49:50 UTC
Orbits	2
Orbit parameters
Perigee	119 mi (192 km; 103 nmi)
Apogee	43,604 mi (70,174 km; 37,891 nmi)
Inclination	28.5°
Flyby of Moon
Closest approach	April 6, 2026, 23:00 UTC
Distance	4,067 mi (6,545 km; 3,534 nmi)

Mission Patch Official crew portrait, clockwise from left: Koch, Glover, Hansen and Wiseman Artemis program ← Artemis I Artemis III →

Artemis II was an exciting nine-day space mission. It launched on April 1, 2026, and took four astronauts on a journey around the Moon. This was the first time humans traveled beyond Earth's close orbit since 1972! It was also the first crewed flight for NASA's Artemis program. The mission used the powerful Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and the Orion spacecraft, which the crew named Integrity.

This mission was a crucial test. It helped prepare for future Artemis missions that aim to land astronauts on the Moon again. Artemis II's goals were similar to the historic Apollo 8 mission in 1968. That mission was the first time humans flew around the Moon. Artemis II followed a special path called a free-return trajectory, much like Apollo 13 did in 1970.

The crew made history in many ways. Victor Glover became the first person of color to travel near the Moon. Christina Koch was the first woman to do so. Jeremy Hansen, from the Canadian Space Agency, was the first non-U.S. citizen. Commander Reid Wiseman was the oldest person on this journey. During their trip, the crew broke the record for the farthest human distance from Earth, traveling over 252,756 miles!

Building the Mission: Artemis II's Journey

Planning the Trip to the Moon

In 2017, NASA started planning for Artemis II. At first, they thought about sending astronauts to study an asteroid. But this plan changed. NASA then decided on an eight-day mission to fly around the Moon with four astronauts. This new plan became the Artemis II mission we know today.

Building and Testing the Rocket and Spacecraft

Building a spacecraft for a Moon mission takes many years! Engineers worked hard to put together the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket. This included installing its powerful engines. The main part of the rocket, called the core stage, arrived at the Kennedy Space Center in 2024.

The four astronauts for Artemis II were announced on April 3, 2023. They even appeared at a big basketball game! Building the rocket and spacecraft was a complex process. It involved stacking many parts, including the Orion spacecraft and its special service module. This stacking was finished in October 2025.

Making Sure the Heat Shield Was Safe

After the uncrewed Artemis I mission, engineers noticed something important. The Orion spacecraft's ablative heat shield showed some unexpected wear after returning to Earth. This shield protects astronauts from extreme heat during reentry. NASA carefully studied this issue. They wanted to make sure the heat shield for Artemis II would be perfectly safe.

Scientists found that gases could get trapped in the heat shield material. This caused small cracks and some material loss. Instead of replacing the entire shield, NASA made a smart change. They adjusted the spacecraft's path when it returned to Earth. This new path reduced the time the shield spent in the hottest part of the atmosphere. This change kept the crew safe. NASA did many tests and analyses to confirm this. They also planned design improvements for the heat shields on future Artemis missions.

Delays and Final Preparations

Space missions often face delays. This is because safety is always the top priority. Artemis II's launch date moved several times. Engineers needed extra time to investigate the heat shield and other systems. Finally, NASA announced that the mission would launch in April 2026.

The final preparations were intense. The giant SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft were rolled out to Launch Pad 39B. This happened on March 20, 2026. The astronauts also entered a special quarantine period. This ensured they stayed healthy before their big trip to the Moon.

Meet the Artemis II Astronauts

Prime crew
Position	Astronaut
Commander	Reid Wiseman, NASA Second spaceflight
Pilot	Victor Glover, NASA Second spaceflight
Mission Specialist 1	Christina Koch, NASA Second spaceflight
Mission Specialist 2	Jeremy Hansen, CSA First spaceflight

Backup crew
Position	Astronaut
Mission Specialist	Andre Douglas, NASA
Mission Specialist	Jenni Gibbons, CSA

Artemis II had a crew of four amazing astronauts. They were Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialist Christina Koch. All three are from NASA. The fourth crew member was Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen from the Canadian Space Agency.

This crew made history!

Victor Glover became the first person of color to travel around the Moon.
Christina Koch became the first woman to journey so far.
Jeremy Hansen was the first non-American to fly around the Moon. This was his first trip to space!
Reid Wiseman was the oldest person on this lunar journey.

Canada's participation was thanks to a special agreement with the United States. This mission also set a new record. It had the most people ever in deep space at one time, with four astronauts!

The Artemis II Mission: A Journey to the Moon and Back

Diagram showing the planned objectives of the Artemis II mission

Artemis II was a test flight to see how the Space Launch System rocket and the Orion spacecraft performed in deep space. The astronauts checked all the systems. They also practiced important maneuvers. The mission lasted about ten days.

Launching into Space

Key events from launch and ascent to space

Artemis II lifts off from Launch Complex 39B at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on April 1, 2026

The crew arrived at Kennedy Space Center on March 27. The launch countdown began on March 30. Artemis II launched on April 1, 2026, from Launch Complex 39B. This was the first crewed launch from that pad since 2006.

The rocket's main engines ignited first. Then, the solid rocket boosters fired, providing most of the power. The boosters separated about two minutes after launch. They splashed down in the Atlantic Ocean. Commander Wiseman monitored the launch from inside Orion. The flight was mostly automatic, but he was ready to take control if needed.

Testing Systems in Earth Orbit

The launch abort system after it was jettisoned, as viewed by an automatic camera on Integrity

Right after launch, astronauts Koch and Hansen tested important life support systems. These included the water dispenser and the toilet. All systems worked well. Orion then entered a high Earth orbit. This allowed for extended testing of all onboard systems.

The Orion spacecraft then separated from the upper stage of the rocket. Astronaut Glover took manual control of Orion. He practiced maneuvering the spacecraft. This helped engineers understand how Orion handles in space. It also prepared for future docking operations. After these tests, the upper stage returned to Earth and burned up safely.

Journey to the Moon

Hello, World photograph taken by Wiseman from Integrity after trans-lunar injection, showing the full Earth with its night side illuminated by the Moon.

On the second day, Orion performed a powerful burn. This sent the spacecraft on its way to the Moon. This burn used the main engine of the European Service Module. For the rest of the trip, only smaller engines were needed for minor adjustments.

During the journey, the crew faced a small challenge, which they managed to solve. Astronauts Koch and Hansen also practiced manually controlling Orion in deep space. This gave engineers more data on the spacecraft's performance.

Flying Around the Moon and Returning Home

Integrity approaching the Moon on April 6

On the sixth day, Orion entered the Moon's gravity. It flew around the far side of the Moon. The closest approach was about 4,067 miles from the lunar surface. At this point, the crew set a new record. They were 252,756 miles from Earth, the farthest humans have ever traveled! As they passed behind the Moon, Orion lost contact with Earth for 40 minutes.

During their flyby, the crew observed two craters. They suggested naming them Integrity (after their spacecraft) and Carroll. They also saw a solar eclipse caused by the Moon blocking the Sun. They wore special glasses to watch this amazing event.

The crew captured a solar eclipse, with the Moon blocking out the Sun.

On the seventh day, Orion left the Moon's gravity. It began its journey back to Earth. The crew talked with astronauts on the International Space Station. They also shared their observations of the Moon with scientists. The rest of the trip involved preparing the cabin for reentry.

Reentry and Splashdown

Integrity about to splash down in the Pacific Ocean

The Artemis II Integrity capsule in the Pacific Ocean off San Diego, with Navy divers helping the crew onto the 'front porch' at left, an inflatable raft from which they are hoisted into helicopters, plus an orange stabilization collar surrounding Integrity to improve its stability.

On the tenth day, Integrity re-entered Earth's atmosphere. It reached a speed of about 24,661 miles per hour. The spacecraft followed a carefully planned path. This path was adjusted to ensure safety after the heat shield observations from Artemis I.

Splashdown occurred on April 11, 2026, in the Pacific Ocean. It was near San Diego, California. The United States Navy was there to recover the crew. After leaving the capsule, the astronauts had medical checks. They also completed tests to see how quickly they adapted to gravity again. This helps prepare for future missions to the Moon and even Mars.

Mission profile animation of Artemis II

Earth-centered inertial reference frame

Earth-centered frame rotating with Moon

Earth · Integrity · Moon

Science and Technology on Artemis II

The inside of Integrity and the crew working during flight

Artemis II was not just about flying to the Moon. It also carried important experiments. These experiments will help us understand how humans can live and work in deep space.

Studying Astronaut Health in Deep Space

One experiment was called AVATAR. It used special models that act like human organs. This helped scientists see how space conditions affect the body. Another project, ARCHeR, tracked the astronauts' movement and sleep. This data helps scientists understand how space travel affects health and behavior.

The crew also gave saliva samples. Scientists will study these to see how their immune systems reacted. They looked at the effects of radiation, isolation, and being far from Earth. This research is vital for keeping future astronauts safe on longer missions.

Faster Communication with Lasers

Optical Communications System modules on the Orion spacecraft

Artemis II tested a new way to communicate with Earth. It used the Orion Artemis II Optical Communications System (O2O). This system uses laser beams instead of radio waves. Laser communication can send data much faster. It also uses less power and smaller equipment. This technology will be very important for future deep space missions.

Small Satellites for Big Science

CubeSats Integration

Artemis II also carried several small satellites called CubeSats. These tiny satellites were from different countries. They helped advance scientific research.

Germany's TACHELES studied how space affects electrical parts.
Argentina's ATENEA studied radiation and tested a new communication system.
South Korea's K-RadCube measured space radiation using a material like human tissue.
Saudi Arabia's SHAMS (meaning "Sun") measured space weather.

These small satellites helped scientists learn more about the space environment.

Connecting with the Public

Your Name Flew Around the Moon!

NASA wanted everyone to be part of the Artemis II mission. They created a website where people could submit their names. These names were stored on a small memory card inside the Orion spacecraft. So, many people's names flew around the Moon! You could even download a special "boarding pass" with your name on it.

The Mission's Mascot: Rise

The crew of Artemis II posing with Rise, the zero gravity indicator

NASA also held a contest to design a mascot for Artemis II. Over 2,600 ideas came from more than 50 countries! The winning design was "Rise," created by 8-year-old Lucas Ye. Rise is a plush toy of the Moon wearing Earth as a baseball cap. It was inspired by the famous "Earthrise" photograph from Apollo 8. Rise floated inside the spacecraft as the mission's zero-gravity indicator.

Astronaut Food in Space

The astronauts had a special menu for their mission. During launch and landing, they ate ready-to-eat food. In orbit, they rehydrated freeze-dried meals. They also had a special food warmer. Their menu included tortillas, vegetable quiche, and barbecued brisket. They even had coffee, hot sauce, and maple syrup! Five Canadian food products were included to honor the Canadian astronaut on board.

Understanding Misinformation

Sometimes, false information spreads online. During Artemis II, some people shared fake videos or claimed the mission was not real. It's important to remember to always check facts from reliable sources like NASA.

How Artemis II Compares to Apollo Missions

Comparison of the Apollo 8 and Artemis II mission patches

NASA compared Artemis II to two historic Apollo program missions. It was like Apollo 7 because it tested the spacecraft in Earth orbit. It was also like Apollo 8 because it was the first crewed flight around the Moon. However, Artemis II did not orbit the Moon. Instead, it flew around it on a free-return trajectory, similar to Apollo 13.

The Artemis II mission patch even looked similar to the Apollo 8 patch. Both showed the Earth from space. This connection highlights how Artemis II continued the legacy of human exploration to the Moon.

Images for kids

SLS core stage for Artemis II lifted into High Bay 2 of the Vehicle Assembly Building shortly after stacking operations began in December 2024
Artemis I heat shield showing damage after recovery
Orion spacecraft Integrity and its European Service Module for the Artemis II mission being prepared in March 2025
The Artemis II stack being rolled out of the VAB before its February launch attempt, January 2026
The backup (standing left) and prime crew of Artemis II after a news conference in December 2024. From left to right: Jenni Gibbons, Andre Douglas, Jeremy Hansen, Christina Koch, Victor Glover, Reid Wiseman
The crew of Artemis II walk out of the Operations and Checkout Building, just before boarding the spacecraft on April 1, 2026.
The crew of Artemis II training inside an Orion mock-up in January 2025