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Artemis II: Humans Return to Lunar Orbit After 50 Years
24 Jan
Summary
- Four astronauts will orbit the moon, the first humans beyond Earth's orbit in 50 years.
- The crew will travel over 620,000 miles aboard the Orion spacecraft.
- The mission includes a lunar flyby to test equipment for future landings.
NASA's Artemis II mission is poised to send four astronauts on a groundbreaking journey around the moon, marking the first human expedition beyond Earth's orbit in over five decades. The mission is scheduled for potential launch windows beginning February 6, 2026, with final preparations advancing at the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. The crew, comprising Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen, will utilize the powerful Space Launch System rocket and the Orion spacecraft.
During their approximately 10-day mission, the astronauts will traverse more than 620,000 miles, venturing farther from Earth than any human before. While they will not land on the moon, the mission includes a crucial lunar flyby at an altitude of 6,400 miles, designed to rigorously test NASA's deep-space exploration equipment with a human crew. This lunar orbit rendezvous serves as a vital precursor to future lunar landings.
The Artemis II crew consists of three NASA astronauts and one from the Canadian Space Agency. Commander Reid Wiseman and Pilot Victor Glover are veteran astronauts with extensive spaceflight experience. Mission Specialist Christina Koch holds the record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman, and Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen will be the first Canadian to travel around the moon. The mission aims to test Orion's capabilities in deep space, ensuring its readiness for subsequent lunar exploration endeavors.
