Artemis II

By Jayden Wong

Artemis II was NASA’s first crewed mission in Project Artemis and marked a major step in the return of humans to deep space. The mission carried four astronauts aboard the Orion spacecraft, launched by the Space Launch System rocket. Its primary goal was to test the spacecraft and mission systems under real conditions and perform the first lunar flyby mission since Apollo 17 more than 54 years earlier.

The crew of Artemis II consisted of Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen. Wiseman, Glover, and Koch were experienced American astronauts, while Hansen became the first Canadian astronaut to participate in a lunar mission, making the flight especially significant.

After more than three years of delays, Artemis II launched on April 1, 2026, at 6:35 p.m. EDT from Launch Complex 39B at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Merritt Island, Florida. After launch, the crew orbited Earth for around a day, gaining the necessary momentum before heading for the Moon. They then performed a Translunar Injection, an engine burn that took the Orion space capsule out of Earth’s orbit and set it on course to the Moon.

Although Artemis II did not land on the Moon, it brought the astronauts close enough to orbit around it and observe its surface from space. This made the mission an important test of navigation, spacecraft performance, and crew operations in deep space. Artemis II brought humans farther into space than ever before, breaking the previous record of 400,171 kilometers held by Apollo 13. Artemis II reached 406,761 kilometers, surpassing the previous record by 6,590 kilometers.

During its lunar flyby, Artemis II lost contact with Earth for approximately 40 to 41 minutes as the Orion spacecraft passed behind the far side of the Moon (often referred to as the dark side). Because this area is blocked from direct radio signals to Earth, the crew was entirely self-reliant during this window. Fortunately, they made it through safely, and after completing the flyby, the spacecraft began its journey back to Earth.

The return phase tested Orion’s ability to re-enter the atmosphere safely. It was during this time that another expected radio blackout occurred due to the buildup of extreme heat around the spacecraft. The Orion capsule managed to pass through the atmosphere without any unexpected incidents, and the Artemis II mission safely splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego, California. The crew was picked up by the USS John P. Murtha on April 10, 2026, at approximately 8:07 p.m. EDT, successfully bringing the astronauts back from deep space and marking the end of the historic mission.

Though the journey went smoothly overall, the crew did encounter a few minor problems. Shortly after reaching Earth's orbit, their toilet broke down. While the crew managed to fix it quickly, the incident led to a few jokes between the crew and Mission Control. Furthermore, a few hours after launch, Reid Wiseman joked, “I have two Microsoft Outlooks, and neither of them is working.” This became an internet sensation as people compared the comment to quotes from the Apollo era, highlighting the contrast between the intense seriousness of the 1960s missions and the more light-hearted, modern camaraderie of the Artemis II crew.

The mission was filled with many lighthearted moments, from Christina Koch becoming an impromptu "space plumber" to Mission Control making several references to the movie adaptation of Project Hail Mary. These moments demonstrated that even during highly technical and critical missions, human humor remains vital.

Artemis II was a milestone because it proved that NASA could send astronauts on a deep-space mission and bring them home safely. Additionally, it broke long-standing demographic barriers in spaceflight by sending the first Canadian and the first Black astronaut toward the Moon.

It also paved the way for future missions, which intend to land astronauts on the lunar surface and establish a permanent base. In that sense, Artemis II was not the final destination, but an essential rehearsal for the next era of lunar exploration and the establishment of a permanent human presence on the Moon.

Beyond the technology, the mission highlighted incredible teamwork and mutual trust. Spending 10 days cramped inside a small spacecraft requires immense psychological resilience. During a post-flight press conference, the crew explained how they created their own “joy train”—a positive atmosphere of humor, encouragement, and shared purpose. They leaned on each other, stayed calm under pressure, and kept the mood light, even when they were far from Earth and out of contact with Mission Control. This "joy train" was not just about having fun; it was a crucial part of their mission success, proving that emotional strength and teamwork are just as important as rockets and computers in deep space.

Artemis II has become a crucial stepping stone for human spaceflight. Following this success, the Artemis III mission is scheduled to test commercial spacecraft docking and is planned to launch in mid-2027. Artemis IV, launching in early 2028, is set to bring humans back to the lunar surface for the first time since 1972, while Artemis V, planned for late 2028, aims to help establish a permanent human presence. Project Artemis continues on schedule, bringing humanity closer to a permanent return to the Moon.