Summary
Artemis II is a NASA mission set to launch four astronauts on a journey around the moon, marking the first crewed mission headed beyond low Earth orbit since 1972. The mission aims to test the spacecraft systems and prepare for future moon landings and eventual missions to Mars. The launch is scheduled from Kennedy Space Center, Florida, with live coverage available online.
Key Facts
- Artemis II is the first crewed mission to the moon region in over 50 years.
- The mission will take four astronauts on a 10-day trip around the moon and back.
- The launch uses NASA's Space Launch System rocket and the Orion spacecraft.
- The goal is to test the life-support and spacecraft systems with a crew aboard.
- Artemis II is a flyby mission and will not include a moon landing.
- The launch window opens at 6:24 p.m. ET on April 1 at Kennedy Space Center.
- The crew includes Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen.
- Christina Koch will be the first woman, Victor Glover the first Black person, and Jeremy Hansen the first Canadian traveling to the lunar area.
