CIRA Satellite Library

In the late afternoon on April 1, 2026, Artemis II launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Artemis II is the second mission of the Artemis program, and is also the first crewed flight.

Artemis II is currently carrying four astronauts to the moon for a lunar flyby, sending humans back to Earth’s closest neighbor for the first time in over 50 years. While they won’t land on the moon, the spacecraft will fly around its far side, giving the astronauts aboard a view of the lunar surface that is never visible from Earth. Artemis II will also potentially fly further from home than any crewed mission in history.

The Artemis program aims to one day land humans back on the moon, with plans to establish a permanent base on lunar surface. NASA also is planning for the Artemis missions to lay the groundwork for future human exploration of Mars.

For more information on Artemis II and the Artemis program, visit the NASA webpage.