NASA has launched artemis ii The mission on Wednesday was the first manned flyby of the moon in more than 50 years. Four astronauts (three Americans and one Canadian) lifted off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida at around 6:35 pm local time.
Who are the four NASA astronauts on the Artemis 2 mission?
At launch, the team wore bright orange suits with blue trim and included Americans Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch, as well as Canadian Hansen.
During Artemis 2’s final checks before it was deemed ready for launch, the astronauts said briefly: “We’re here for all of humanity,” said Hansen, a Canadian on board.
Read more: Artemis 2 Cost Explained: How much did NASA spend on its latest moon mission? Who pays for this?
Artemis launch director Charlie Blackwell Thompson then addressed the astronauts directly.
“Reed, Victor, Christina, and Jeremy: You carry with you the core of the Artemis team, the bold spirit of the American people and global partners, and the hopes and dreams of a new generation as you carry out this historic mission. Good luck. May God bless Artemis 2. Here we go,” she said.
When will the four astronauts return to Earth?
NASA’s Artemis 2 astronauts are scheduled to splash down on April 10, 2026, completing a 10-day journey around the moon.
The return sequence will be one of the most stressful phases of the mission. The Orion spacecraft is expected to re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere at about 25,000 miles per hour (40,000 kilometers per hour), which would be the fastest re-entry ever attempted by a manned spacecraft.
The capsule will then deploy its parachutes for a controlled descent before landing in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego at approximately 8:06 p.m. ET.
Read more: NASA’s Artemis 2: Why it took decades to return humans to the moon; experts explain
U.S. Navy recovery teams have been deployed in designated areas to recover the astronauts and Orion capsule using the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock shortly after landing.
Artemis 2 timetable
The tasks themselves follow a structured schedule. The first few days in orbit will focus on testing life support systems and conducting close operations around Earth. On the sixth day, the spacecraft will reach its furthest distance, orbiting the far side of the moon in a crucial flyby maneuver. A series of trajectory correction burns will be performed on the way back to ensure a precise reentry path back to Earth.
Once safely recovered, the astronauts will be immediately transported for medical evaluation. NASA scientists will also conduct physical performance tests, including obstacle-based assessments, to better understand how quickly the human body re-adapts to gravity after extended stays in deep space.
