Artemis II facts for kids
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Earthset, by astronaut Christina Koch aboard Integrity
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| Names |
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|---|---|
| Mission type | Crewed lunar flyby |
| Operator | NASA |
| Mission duration | 9 days, 1 hour, 32 minutes and 15 seconds |
| Distance travelled | 700,237 mi (1,126,922 km; 608,489 nmi) |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft |
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| Manufacturer |
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| Launch mass | 78,000 lb (35,000 kg) |
| Landing mass | 20,500 lb (9,300 kg) |
| Crew | |
| Crew size | 4 |
| Members | |
| 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 (32°18′N 117°48′W / 32.3°N 117.8°W) |
| Earth orbiter | |
| Orbital departure | April 2, 2026 |
| 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 insignia  Official crew portrait, clockwise from left: Koch, Glover, Hansen and Wiseman Artemis program
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Artemis II was an amazing space mission that took four astronauts on a trip around the Moon from April 1 to April 11, 2026. It was the first time humans traveled beyond Earth's close orbit since 1972! This mission was also the first crewed flight for NASA's Artemis program, the powerful Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, and the Orion spacecraft, which the crew named Integrity.
The main goal of Artemis II was to test Orion's systems and how the crew would operate it. This was a crucial step before future Artemis missions that will land humans on the Moon. The journey of Artemis II was similar to Apollo 8 in 1968, which was the first time astronauts flew around the Moon.
The four astronauts on this historic journey were Victor Glover, Christina Koch, Jeremy Hansen, and Reid Wiseman. Victor Glover became the first person of color to travel around the Moon. Christina Koch was the first woman to do so. Jeremy Hansen was the first non-U.S. citizen, coming from Canada. Reid Wiseman was the oldest person on this lunar journey. During their trip, the crew broke a record set by Apollo 13 for the farthest distance humans have ever traveled from Earth. This incredible mission captured attention worldwide, and people even started using the term "Moon joy" to describe the excitement it brought.
Contents
Preparing for the Moon Mission
Planning the Journey
In 2017, the mission, then called Exploration Mission-2, was planned to use a powerful Space Launch System (SLS) rocket. It was originally going to visit an asteroid that would have been moved into orbit around the Moon. Astronauts would have collected samples from it.
However, the asteroid mission was canceled. NASA then decided on a new plan: an eight-day trip around the Moon with four astronauts. This new plan focused on testing the Orion spacecraft and its systems.
Building and Testing the Spacecraft
From 2021 to 2025, engineers worked hard to build and test all the parts of the Artemis II mission. This included the main part of the SLS rocket, called the core stage, and its powerful engines. For example, in March 2023, the engine section was connected to the core stage in New Orleans.
The four special RS-25 engines were installed by September 2023. There was a small leak found in one engine, so it was replaced in April 2025. The fully built core stage arrived at the Kennedy Space Center in July 2024.
The four astronauts for Artemis II were announced on April 3, 2023. They even made a public appearance at a basketball championship game!
Solving Heat Shield Challenges
After the uncrewed Artemis I mission in 2022, engineers noticed some unexpected damage to Orion's heat shield. This shield protects the spacecraft from extreme heat when it re-enters Earth's atmosphere. Parts of the shield had worn away more than expected.
NASA formed a team to study this issue. They found that hot gases got trapped in the heat shield material, causing it to wear away. Instead of replacing the entire heat shield for Artemis II, NASA decided to change the way Orion would re-enter Earth's atmosphere. They made the descent angle steeper. This change reduced the time the spacecraft spent in the hottest part of the atmosphere, which helped prevent more damage. NASA confirmed that this plan was safe for the crew.
Mission Delays and Final Preparations
The launch date for Artemis II changed several times as engineers worked through all the tests and challenges. It was first planned for 2019-2021, then 2023, and later September 2025.
In December 2024, NASA announced a delay to April 2026. This was because engineers needed more time to investigate issues with the life support system and heat shield.
In March 2025, there was talk of moving the launch up to February 2026. NASA worked hard to make this happen, but preparations were delayed by a winter storm in January 2026.
The rocket and Orion capsule were moved to the launch pad in January 2026. They performed a practice countdown, but a small leak caused another delay to March. After fixing a helium issue, NASA finally confirmed the launch for April 1, 2026. The crew entered a special quarantine to stay healthy before their big trip.
Meet the Astronauts
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| Position | Astronaut | |
|---|---|---|
| Commander | Reid Wiseman, NASA Second spaceflight |
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| Pilot | Victor Glover, NASA Second spaceflight |
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| Mission Specialist 1 | Christina Koch, NASA Second spaceflight |
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| Mission Specialist 2 | Jeremy Hansen, CSA First spaceflight |
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| Position | Astronaut | |
|---|---|---|
| Mission Specialist | Andre Douglas, NASA | |
| Mission Specialist | Jenni Gibbons, CSA | |
Artemis II had four amazing astronauts: Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialist Christina Koch, all from NASA. The fourth crew member was Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen from the Canadian Space Agency.
Jenni Gibbons and Andre Douglas were named as backup astronauts.
This mission was full of "firsts"! Victor Glover became the first person of color to travel around the Moon. Christina Koch was the first woman to make this journey. Reid Wiseman was the oldest person to go so far from Earth. Jeremy Hansen was the first non-American to travel around the Moon, and it was his very first trip to space! Canada's involvement was part of a special agreement with the United States.
The mission also broke a record for the most people in deep space at one time, with four astronauts. The previous record was three, set by Apollo 8 in 1968.
A special zero-gravity indicator plush toy named Rise also flew with the astronauts. It was designed by an 8-year-old boy named Lucas Ye.
The Mission Journey
Artemis II was a test flight to see how the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and the Orion spacecraft worked in deep space with astronauts. The mission lasted about nine days.
Launching into Space
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The crew arrived at Kennedy Space Center on March 27, 2026. The launch countdown began on March 30. The mission launched on April 1 from Launch Complex 39B. This was the first time astronauts launched from this pad since 2006.
The powerful engines of the SLS rocket ignited first, followed by the solid rocket boosters. These boosters provided most of the power for the first two minutes of flight. They separated from the rocket at about 30 miles high and splashed down in the Atlantic Ocean.
Commander Wiseman watched the launch from Orion's controls. The flight was automatic, but he was ready to take over if needed. The main part of the rocket burned for about eight minutes before separating. Orion was then in a very high orbit around Earth.
Checking Systems in Earth Orbit
After the main engines shut down, astronauts Koch and Hansen quickly unbuckled. They set up and tested important systems like the water dispenser, firefighting masks, and the toilet. All systems worked well, giving mission control confidence to continue.
Orion then performed a burn to raise its orbit, placing it into a stable, high Earth orbit that lasted about 24 hours. This was the first time a crewed spacecraft stayed in such a high Earth orbit before heading to the Moon.
After this, Orion separated from the upper stage of the rocket. Astronaut Glover then took manual control of Orion. He practiced moving the spacecraft around, using the spent rocket stage as a target. This helped engineers understand how Orion handles in space and prepared for future docking operations.
The crew then prepared the cabin for spaceflight. They used a special exercise device to test the life support system and had dinner. They also had a short sleep period, interrupted by another engine burn to prepare for the journey to the Moon.
Journey to the Moon
On the second day, Orion performed a long engine burn to leave Earth's orbit and head towards the Moon. This was the only time the main engine was used during the mission.
On the third day, the crew had a small issue in the toilet's vent lines. They fixed it by turning on heaters and rotating the spacecraft to warm the vent with sunlight.
On the fourth day, Koch and Hansen took turns manually controlling Orion in deep space. They tested different ways to control the spacecraft's thrusters, gathering important data for engineers.
On the fifth day, Orion made a small adjustment to its path towards the Moon. The crew also tested their special Orion Crew Survival System suits and planned how they would observe and photograph the Moon.
Flying Around the Moon
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On the sixth day, Orion entered the Moon's gravitational pull. It flew around the far side of the Moon, getting as close as about 4,067 miles from the surface on April 6. At this point, Orion was 252,756 miles from Earth, breaking Apollo 13's record for the farthest human journey from our planet!
As the crew passed behind the Moon, they lost contact with Earth for 40 minutes. During their flyby, the crew observed two unnamed craters. They suggested naming them Integrity, after their spacecraft, and Carroll.
After the blackout, the astronauts saw a solar eclipse! The Moon completely blocked the Sun for 57 minutes. The crew wore special eclipse glasses and observed the Sun's outer atmosphere, called the solar corona. They also saw "impact flashes" from tiny space rocks hitting the dark side of the Moon. Stars and planets were visible, along with Earth's light illuminating the Moon.
The Return Journey
On the seventh day, Orion left the Moon's gravity and began its journey back to Earth. The crew had a special audio call with astronauts on the International Space Station, noting that together they were the humans furthest from each other. They also shared their observations of the Moon with NASA scientists. The day ended with a small engine burn to fine-tune their path back home.
On the eighth day, a planned manual control test was canceled. This allowed engineers to gather more data on a small helium leak in the European Service Module. The leak was not dangerous but provided important information for future missions.
On the ninth day, Orion performed another small engine burn to adjust its return path. The crew spent most of the day preparing the cabin for landing, stowing equipment, and reviewing reentry procedures.
On the tenth day, Orion performed its final engine burn before the European Service Module was released. The crew module then fired its thrusters to get into the correct position for re-entry.
Re-entry and Splashdown
On the tenth day, Integrity re-entered Earth's atmosphere at a speed of about 24,664 miles per hour. This speed was similar to what Apollo missions experienced when returning from the Moon.
Mission planners had originally planned a "skip reentry," where the spacecraft would briefly dip into the atmosphere to slow down. However, because of the heat shield damage seen on Artemis I, they chose a steeper, more direct entry. This helped limit the time the spacecraft spent in the hottest part of the atmosphere.
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Splashdown happened on April 11, 2026, in the Pacific Ocean southwest of San Diego, California. The U.S. Navy was there to recover the crew. This was the first time the Navy recovered a crewed NASA mission since 1975.
The USS John P. Murtha ship sailed to the recovery area. After splashdown, there was a brief communication issue, but it was quickly resolved. Navy divers then approached the capsule in inflatable boats. They stabilized the spacecraft and attached a special raft, called a "front porch," to the side hatch.
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The crew members exited the capsule one by one onto the raft. They were then lifted by helicopters to the USS John P. Murtha for medical checks. They even did some exercises to see how their bodies were adjusting to gravity again.
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After the crew was safe, the spacecraft was pulled into the ship's well deck. It was then transported to Naval Base San Diego and later to Kennedy Space Center for inspection and study. Special NASA planes and Navy helicopters helped with the recovery, providing video and support.
Science and Technology on Board
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Deep Space Health Studies
The mission carried a special experiment called AVATAR. This technology can mimic human organs and was tested outside the International Space Station for the first time. It helps scientists understand how space affects astronauts' bodies.
Another experiment, ARCHeR, involved the crew wearing monitors to track their movement and sleep. This helped scientists study how astronauts' health and behavior change during deep space missions.
Astronauts also provided saliva samples to study their immune systems. This helped researchers learn how radiation, isolation, and distance from Earth affect the body. The mission also helped scientists understand "space weather" to keep future astronauts safe.
Super-Fast Space Internet
Artemis II tested a new way to communicate with Earth using lasers, called the Orion Artemis II Optical Communications System (O2O). This laser system is smaller and lighter than traditional radio systems. It can send data much faster, up to 260 megabits per second! The O2O system communicated with ground stations in California and New Mexico.
Tiny Satellites for Big Science
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NASA planned to fly several small satellites, called CubeSats, on Artemis II. These tiny satellites, from international partners, helped advance scientific research and technology.
Four CubeSats were selected. Germany's TACHELES studied how space conditions affect electrical parts. Argentina's ATENEA studied radiation and gathered GPS data. Korea's K-RadCube looked at how space radiation affects materials similar to human tissue. Saudi Arabia's SHAMS (meaning "Sun" in Arabic) measured space weather.
ATENEA completed its mission objectives before burning up in Earth's atmosphere. Only SHAMS successfully used its propulsion system to stay in orbit, while the others also re-entered the atmosphere.
Connecting with the Public
NASA invited people worldwide to be a part of the mission! They offered an online program where anyone could create a "boarding pass" for the mission. The names submitted were stored on a special memory card that flew aboard the spacecraft.
NASA also held a competition to design a mascot, or zero-gravity indicator, for the mission. Over 2,600 designs came in 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, inspired by the famous Earthrise photograph. The memory card with all the names was sewn inside Rise.
The astronauts displayed Rise during the mission and on the recovery ship. NASA later sold replicas of Rise because so many people wanted one!
NASA also shared the astronauts' menu for Artemis II. During launch and landing, they ate ready-to-eat foods. In orbit, they rehydrated freeze-dried meals and heated them. The crew chose their meals after taste tests, balancing nutrition with storage space. Their menu included tortillas, quiche, barbecued brisket, spicy green beans, coffee, and five kinds of hot sauce! They also had Canadian products to honor Jeremy Hansen. Snacks like M&M's and Nutella were also on board.
People were also invited to participate in citizen science by observing the Moon for "impact flashes" of meteoroids. These observations were compared with what the crew saw during their flyby.
The Mission's Impact
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NASA broadcast the mission live, sharing videos from the spacecraft and interviews with the crew. The astronauts' exciting descriptions of what they saw and felt helped NASA use the term Moon joy. NASA defined this as "the feeling of intense happiness and excitement that only comes from a mission to the Moon."
The mission became very popular worldwide after its launch. Many people who watched it were too young to remember the last time humans went to the Moon in 1972.
Clearing Up Misinformation
While the mission was happening, some false videos and claims were shared online, suggesting the mission was not real. However, Artemis II was a real and successful mission, and the astronauts truly traveled around the Moon.
Missions Like Artemis II
NASA compared Artemis II's goals to both Apollo 7 and Apollo 8. It combined testing the spacecraft in Earth's orbit and flying around the Moon in one mission. However, Artemis II did not orbit the Moon like Apollo 8 did. This was because the European Service Module did not carry enough fuel to both enter and leave lunar orbit.
Artemis II was the second crewed flight to go around the Moon using a special path called a "free-return trajectory." This means the spacecraft's path naturally brings it back to Earth without needing extra engine power for the return trip. Apollo 13 used a similar path in 1970 after an oxygen tank exploded.
Artemis II also flew towards the Moon during Easter, sending greetings from space. Similarly, Apollo 8 orbited the Moon during Christmas and sent Christmas greetings.
Mission Patch Story
The Artemis II mission patch was designed by Gregory Manchess. It looks similar to the Apollo 8 patch, which had a symbol like the number 8 to show its lunar orbit. The Artemis II patch has a curved line that looks a bit like the number 2. This line shows the spacecraft's path from Earth to the Moon. The patch also shows Earth from beyond the Moon, like the famous Earthrise photo from Apollo 8. These designs highlight how Artemis II continued the legacy of the Apollo program.
During the mission, the astronauts showed a special double-sided version of the patch. The back side had an inverted design, with Earth appearing larger and the Moon in the distance.
Wake-Up Calls from Space
NASA started a fun tradition of playing music to astronauts during the Gemini program. They first used music to wake up a crew during the Apollo 15 mission. Each song is chosen carefully, often by the astronauts' families, and usually has a special meaning or relates to their daily tasks.
Artemis II was the first NASA mission to have its wake-up songs put into an official Spotify playlist. Famous former Apollo astronauts Charlie Duke and Jim Lovell also recorded special messages for the crew. Jim Lovell recorded his message shortly before he passed away in August 2025.
Spotify reported that several songs chosen as wake-up calls saw a huge increase in listeners after the mission. For example, "Sleepyhead" by Young & Sick had a 2,100% increase in streams!
| Day | Song | Artist | Greeting |
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| 1 | "Sleepyhead" | Young & Sick (cover of Passion Pit) | |
| 2 | "Green Light" | John Legend, André 3000 | |
| 3 | "In A Daydream" | Freddy Jones Band | |
| 4 | "Pink Pony Club" | Chappell Roan | |
| 5 | "Working Class Heroes (Work)" | CeeLo Green | Charlie Duke |
| 6 | "Good Morning" | Mandisa, TobyMac | Jim Lovell (recorded in August 2025) |
| 7 | "Tokyo Drifting" | Denzel Curry, Glass Animals | |
| 8 | "Under Pressure" | Queen, David Bowie | |
| 9 | "Lonesome Drifter" | Charley Crockett | |
| 10 | "Run to the Water" | Live | |
| "Free" | Zac Brown Band | Zac Brown (message accompanying his band's song) |
See also
In Spanish: Artemis 2 para niños
- List of Artemis missions
- List of missions to the Moon
