Artemis II is NASA’s to begin with run Artemis mission — the to begin with time people will travel past moo Soil circle since Apollo 17 in 1972, more than 50 a long time ago.
Dispatch Date (Current Target)
Targeted dispatch: as before long as February 6, 2026.
This is the most punctual date in NASA’s current dispatch window, and arrangements are adjusted toward this timeline.
The mission was initially planned to happen no afterward than April 2026, but advance in equipment integration and testing has made a February dispatch attainable if all criteria are met.
🗓 Dispatch Window
NASA has a dispatch window that ranges February through April 2026, meaning if there are delays for specialized or climate reasons, liftoff might slide afterward into that window.
Dispatch Location and Vehicle
Launch Vehicle: Space Dispatch Framework (SLS) Piece 1 heavy-lift rocket.
Spacecraft: Orion manned capsule roosted on the rocket.
Launch Location: Kennedy Space Center, Florida — particularly Dispatch Complex 39B.
Mission Duration
Planned term is around 10 days. Amid this time, the group will travel around the Moon and return to Earth.
Flight Profile
Artemis II will take after a “free-return trajectory”, meaning the shuttle will swing around the Moon and actually return to Soil — without entering Moon circle or landing on the lunar surface.
After dispatch, the group will conduct framework checks close Soil, at that point perform a trans-lunar infusion burn to send Orion toward the Moon.
Who Are the Artemis II Group Members?
NASA chosen four space explorers for this memorable mission: three from the Joined together States and one from Canada. This group will be the to begin with people to fly around the Moon in more than half a century.
1. Commander — Reid Wiseman
Lead space traveler for Artemis II.
A NASA space traveler and U.S. Naval force aviator/test pilot.
This will be his moment spaceflight; he already served on board the Universal Space Station (ISS).
2. Pilot — Victor Glover
Pilot for the Orion spacecraft.
A NASA space explorer with encounter flying on board SpaceX’s Crew-1 mission to the ISS.
Notably, he will be the to begin with Dark space traveler to travel past moo Soil orbit.
3. Mission Pro — Christina Koch
NASA space traveler and mission specialist.
Koch already set the record for the longest single spaceflight by a lady (328 days) on board the ISS.
She moreover taken part in the to begin with all-female spacewalk.
4. Mission Master — Jeremy Hansen
Astronaut speaking to the Canadian Space Organization (CSA).
A Illustrious Canadian Discuss Drive warrior pilot and the to begin with Canadian space traveler to travel to the region of the Moon.
His nearness reflects Canada’s commitment to the Artemis program, counting work on future lunar framework like Canadarm3.
What Will Artemis II Do?
Artemis II isn’t a landing mission — but it is the to begin with manned flight outlined to test frameworks, strategies, and human execution in profound space as NASA plans for future lunar landings.
Essential Goals
1. Test Orion with a team aboard
Orion’s life back, route, communications, and other frameworks must work faultlessly in profound space some time recently future missions arrive on the Moon.
2. Illustrate the Space Dispatch Framework (SLS) with humans
This capable rocket has flown some time recently on uncrewed missions, but Artemis II will be its to begin with flight with astronauts.
3. Approve profound space operations and team performance
Astronauts will carry out operational assignments and framework checks all through the mission, making a difference NASA refine strategies for Artemis III and beyond.
4. Collect science and designing data
From profound space radiation presentation to shuttle behavior in the lunar environment, Artemis II will accumulate basic experiences that bolster into future mission designs.
Why Artemis II Matters
Artemis II is a significant point of reference in NASA’s long-term plans to build up a maintainable human nearness on the Moon and, eventually, get ready for human missions to Mars.
To begin with run lunar mission in over 50 years
To begin with human flight past moo Soil circle since Apollo
Approves frameworks for lunar surface missions (Artemis III and beyond)
Reinforces worldwide associations in space exploration
Looking Ahead: Artemis III and the Lunar Surface
Artemis III, the following major turning point after Artemis II, points to arrive space explorers on the Moon, counting the to begin with lady and the following individual by and large, and investigate the lunar south pole.
However, Artemis II’s victory is fundamental some time recently landing missions can continue. These missions construct upon each other, slowly expanding complexity, capability, and logical return.

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