Asger Risom
For the first time in more than 50 years, astronauts are preparing to journey beyond Earth’s orbit. NASA has announced plans to send a four-person crew around the Moon as early as February 2026.
For the first time in more than 50 years, astronauts are preparing to journey beyond Earth’s orbit. NASA has announced plans to send a four-person crew around the Moon as early as February 2026.
A Historic Return
The Artemis II mission will mark the first crewed lunar voyage since Apollo 17 in 1972. Four astronauts will travel beyond Earth orbit, paving the way for a future landing.
Target Launch Window
NASA says the launch could take place as early as February 5, 2026. While safety remains the top priority, the agency hopes to move faster than its previous April target.
The Artemis II Crew
The mission includes three NASA astronauts — Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch — alongside Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen.
Testing Systems in Space
Unlike Apollo missions, Artemis II will not land on the Moon. Instead, it will focus on testing spacecraft systems to ensure readiness for a surface mission later this decade.
The SLS Rocket and Orion Capsule
The astronauts will ride atop the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket inside the Orion capsule. NASA says the rocket is ready, with final capsule tests still underway.
Flying Farther Than Ever
NASA says the crew will travel at least 9,200 kilometers beyond the Moon, farther than any humans have gone before.
Mission Timeline
About 23 hours after launch, Orion will fire its engines for a Trans Lunar Injection, beginning a four-day journey toward lunar orbit.
Scientific Goals
During the mission, astronauts will conduct medical studies and systems tests, gathering crucial data for long-term lunar exploration.
The Return Journey
After circling the Moon, the crew will spend four days returning to Earth, reentering the atmosphere before parachuting into the Pacific Ocean.
Preparing for a Lunar Landing
Artemis II will set the stage for Artemis III, the first planned landing of astronauts on the Moon since 1972. But delays to SpaceX’s Starship raise questions about whether a 2027 landing is realistic.
This article is made and published by Asger Risom, which may have used AI in the preparation
