Artemis II Launch: Live Updates, Astronaut Life & Unique Views
CAPE CANAVERAL, FLORIDA – After years of preparation and several delays, NASA’s Artemis II mission successfully launched on April 1, 2026, at 12:35 a.m. EDT from Launch Complex 39B at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The launch marked the first crewed mission to the Moon in more than 50 years, carrying four astronauts on a 10-day flight around the lunar globe.
The four-member crew consists of NASA Commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, mission specialist Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen. Their mission is a critical test of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft, paving the way for future lunar landings, with a planned landing in 2028.
The launch was witnessed by thousands of spectators, including those who followed the live broadcasts from NASA. In the hours leading up to the launch, the crew donned their distinctive orange Orion Crew Survival System suits and participated in the traditional card game, a tradition dating back to the Apollo era.
The Artemis II mission builds upon the success of the uncrewed Artemis I flight in 2022, which tested the SLS and Orion systems. This mission will demonstrate a broad range of capabilities needed for deep space exploration. The crew will not land on the Moon during this flight, but will instead travel approximately 6,400 miles beyond the Moon’s surface, venturing further into space than any humans have gone before.
The Artemis program aims to establish a sustainable human presence on the Moon, utilizing lunar resources and developing technologies for future missions to Mars. NASA has emphasized the scientific discoveries and economic benefits that could result from a return to the Moon, including the potential for extracting valuable resources.
During the 10-day mission, the crew will conduct a series of tests and experiments, evaluating the performance of the spacecraft’s life support systems, communications equipment, and navigation capabilities. Details regarding the astronauts’ daily routines, including how they eat, sleep, and employ the spacecraft’s facilities, have been released by NASA in preparation for the flight.
As of April 2, 2026, the Artemis II mission is underway, with the crew continuing their journey around the Moon. NASA has provided updates on the mission’s progress, including successful proximity operations and trajectory adjustments. The agency will continue to monitor the spacecraft and crew throughout the duration of the flight.