Artemis II Launch 2026: Date, Time, Crew, Mission and Everything You Need to Know
After years of delays, technical setbacks, and months of anticipation, NASA’s Artemis II mission is finally on the launchpad and ready to fly. On Wednesday, April 1, 2026, NASA will send four astronauts around the Moon for the first time since Apollo 17 in December 1972. This is not just a space launch. It is the first time human beings have traveled to the Moon’s vicinity in more than 53 years, and the mission carries a series of historic firsts that make it one of the most significant events in the history of human spaceflight. Here is everything you need to know about the Artemis II launch: exact time, crew profiles, the mission plan, how to watch, and what comes next.
Artemis II Launch Date and Time
NASA is targeting liftoff for the historic Artemis II mission on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, with a two-hour launch window opening at 6:24 PM ET from Kennedy Space Center. TRADING ECONOMICS
If the April 1 launch attempt does not proceed, backup launch opportunities exist through April 6. U.S. Department of the Treasury
Artemis II Launch Time by Time Zone
| Time Zone | Launch Window Opens |
|---|---|
| Eastern Time (ET) | 6:24 PM |
| Central Time (CT) | 5:24 PM |
| Mountain Time (MT) | 4:24 PM |
| Pacific Time (PT) | 3:24 PM |
| Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) | 11:24 PM |
| British Summer Time (BST) | 11:24 PM |
The two-hour window means launch can occur any time between 6:24 PM and 8:24 PM ET. If no launch occurs during that window, teams will evaluate the next available opportunity.
Artemis II Weather Forecast
The weather forecast for launch day shows an 80% chance of favorable weather conditions, with primary concerns being cumulus clouds, ground winds, and solar weather. FRED Forecasters with the US Space Force Space Launch Delta 45 are monitoring cloud coverage and what is known as the Thick Cloud Rule, a constraint that can trigger a scrub if towering cumulus clouds are present over or near the launch pad at the time of liftoff.
What Is Artemis II?
Artemis II is a planned lunar flyby mission under the Artemis program, scheduled to launch on April 1, 2026 from the Kennedy Space Center. The ten-day mission will carry NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, along with Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen, on a free-return trajectory around the Moon and back to Earth. It will be the second flight of the Space Launch System, the first crewed mission of the Orion spacecraft, and the first crewed mission beyond low Earth orbit since Apollo 17 in 1972. U.S. Department of the Treasury
Artemis II builds directly on Artemis I, the uncrewed test flight that launched in November 2022 and sent the Orion spacecraft on a 25.5-day journey around the Moon and back. That mission validated the Space Launch System and the Orion capsule’s fundamental capabilities. Artemis II adds the most critical element: people.
Artemis II Crew: The Four Astronauts Flying to the Moon
The mission is expected to set several human spaceflight records. Glover would become the first person of color, Koch the first woman, Wiseman the oldest person to leave low Earth orbit, and Hansen the first non-US citizen to travel beyond low Earth orbit and to the Moon’s vicinity. U.S. Department of the Treasury
Table 1: Artemis II Full Crew Details
| Astronaut | Role | Nationality | Historic First |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reid Wiseman | Commander | American (NASA) | Oldest person to leave low Earth orbit |
| Victor Glover | Pilot | American (NASA) | First person of color to travel to the Moon |
| Christina Koch | Mission Specialist | American (NASA) | First woman to travel to the Moon |
| Jeremy Hansen | Mission Specialist | Canadian (CSA) | First non-American to travel to the Moon’s vicinity |
Reid Wiseman, Commander
Reid Wiseman is a US Navy test pilot and NASA astronaut serving as the Artemis II commander, responsible for the overall execution, safety, and success of the mission. He has prior spaceflight experience from a long-duration mission to the International Space Station. At liftoff, Wiseman will become the oldest person ever to travel beyond low Earth orbit.
Victor Glover, Pilot
Victor Glover is a California-native, former US Navy captain, and combat pilot who has flown the F/A-18 Hornet. Glover is the first Black astronaut to be assigned to a lunar mission. MacroTrends As pilot, he is responsible for operating the spacecraft. He will also conduct a Proximity Operations demonstration in the first 24 hours after launch, manually flying Orion near the spent upper stage to practice formation flying needed for future docking maneuvers.
Christina Koch, Mission Specialist
Christina Koch, Artemis II’s mission specialist, comes from Grand Rapids, Michigan. MacroTrends She previously spent a record 328 consecutive days aboard the International Space Station, the longest single spaceflight by a woman in history. On Artemis II, she becomes the first woman in history to travel to the Moon’s vicinity. Koch and Hansen are responsible for conducting scientific experiments, operating specialized equipment, and managing mission systems.
Jeremy Hansen, Mission Specialist
Jeremy Hansen is a fighter pilot and astronaut from the Canadian Space Agency. He becomes the first non-American astronaut to fly beyond low Earth orbit and the first non-American to travel to the vicinity of the Moon. Hansen and backup astronaut Jenni Gibbons were selected by the Canadian Space Agency as part of a 2020 treaty between the United States and Canada that facilitated their participation in the Artemis program. YCharts
The quartet of Artemis II astronauts have spent a total of 660 days in space on long-duration missions to the International Space Station and have 12 spacewalks between them. Investing.com
Artemis II Mission Timeline: Day by Day
Table 2: Artemis II 10-Day Mission Plan
| Day | Event | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Launch | Liftoff from Kennedy Space Center LC-39B at 6:24 PM ET |
| Day 1 | High Earth Orbit insertion | 24-hour stay to verify life support systems |
| Day 1 | Proximity Operations | Glover manually flies Orion near SLS upper stage |
| Day 1-4 | Trans-lunar injection | Two engine burns set trajectory toward the Moon |
| Days 2-4 | Outbound transit | Four-day journey to the Moon’s vicinity |
| Day 5 | Lunar flyby | Orion passes approximately 4,700 miles beyond the Moon’s far side |
| Days 6-9 | Return transit | Four-day return journey to Earth |
| Day 10 | Reentry and splashdown | Atmospheric reentry at 25,000 mph; splashdown in Pacific off San Diego |
Sources: NASA Artemis II Mission Overview, Wikipedia Artemis II, ABC News, Astronomy.com
Immediately after the SLS rocket’s core stage separates, the crew will spend their first 24 hours in a high Earth orbit as a safety-first approach designed to keep the astronauts close to home while they ensure Orion’s life-support systems, including the potable water dispenser and the carbon dioxide scrubbing system, are working perfectly. U.S. Department of the Treasury
The lunar flyby on Day 5 will take the crew further from Earth than any human has ever traveled. The spacecraft will pass within approximately 4,700 miles beyond the far side of the Moon, further than any humans have ever traveled in deep space. YCharts
Reentry will be a record-breaking event. The crew will return to Earth as the fastest humans in history, splashing down in the Pacific Ocean after reentering the atmosphere at slightly over 25,000 mph. MacroTrends
The Rocket: NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS)
The Space Launch System is the most powerful operational rocket currently flying. At liftoff, the SLS rocket will generate nearly 9 million pounds of thrust and weigh 5.7 million pounds at liftoff, accelerating the Orion crew ship on the eight-minute climb to space, at which point it will be moving at nearly 5 miles per second. Investing.com
The SLS uses four RS-25 main engines on the core stage, supplemented by two solid rocket boosters. For Artemis II, it is flying in its Block 1 configuration, the same as Artemis I.
What Is the Artemis Program?
The Artemis program is NASA’s initiative to return humans to the Moon and establish a long-term presence on and around the lunar surface, ultimately as a stepping stone toward future missions to Mars.
Table 3: Artemis Mission Sequence
| Mission | Type | Date | Key Goal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Artemis I | Uncrewed test flight | November 2022 | Validate SLS and Orion capsule |
| Artemis II | Crewed lunar flyby | April 1, 2026 | Test life support; first humans to Moon’s vicinity since 1972 |
| Artemis III | Crewed lunar landing | Targeted 2028 | First humans on the Moon since 1972; first woman on the Moon |
| Artemis IV | Crewed lunar landing | Targeted 2028+ | Return and expand lunar surface operations |
NASA hopes to win a new space race with China, which plans to put taikonauts on the lunar surface by 2030. NASA hopes to win that race by launching one and possibly two Artemis moon landing missions in 2028. Investing.com
In March 2026, NASA shelved plans for the Lunar Gateway orbital station, choosing instead to prioritize building a permanent base directly on the Moon’s surface.
Why Did Artemis II Face Delays?
Artemis 2 has faced multiple delays. NASA’s original plans targeted launch in November 2024, which was initially delayed until September 2025. This was reforecast for early 2026, but launches were called off in both February and March 2026 due to hydrogen leaks and other problems. YCharts
Specifically, a liquid hydrogen leak occurred during the first wet dress rehearsal on February 2, 2026. A second issue involving a helium flow anomaly on February 21 forced a rollback of the entire rocket to the Vehicle Assembly Building, pushing the launch back to April at the earliest. A second successful wet dress rehearsal on February 19 preceded the helium issue.
Additionally, concerns were raised about Orion’s heat shield following damage observed during Artemis I reentry. NASA conducted extensive analysis and NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman confirmed in January 2026 that the agency would proceed with the existing heat shield, with design changes planned for Artemis III.
Where to Watch Artemis II Launch
There are several ways to watch Artemis II live.
Online / TV: NASA will stream the entire launch countdown and liftoff live on NASA TV, the NASA website at nasa.gov, and the NASA YouTube channel. Coverage typically begins several hours before liftoff.
At Kennedy Space Center: On the Artemis II launch date, only guests with an Artemis II Launch Viewing Package will be allowed entry to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Launch viewing packages from the Visitor Complex are sold out. CNBC Those without packages can view from public areas along Florida’s Space Coast.
Florida Space Coast: The SLS rocket will be visible across a wide area of Florida and southern Georgia at liftoff. NASA has published a visibility map showing the viewing range from the surrounding region.
To stay updated on any launch scrubs or time changes, the official source is NASA’s Artemis blog at nasa.gov, which is updated in real time throughout the countdown.
What Makes Artemis II Different from Apollo?
Artemis II most closely mirrors Apollo 8, the December 1968 mission that sent three astronauts on a six-day loop around the Moon without landing, primarily to test systems before the lunar landing attempt. Like Apollo 8, Artemis II is a flyby, not a landing.
However, several key differences define Artemis II. The Orion spacecraft is far more advanced than the Apollo Command Module, with a pressurized volume nearly three times larger. The crew of four is larger than Apollo 8’s three. The mission carries the first woman and first person of color to reach the Moon’s vicinity. And the mission will fly further from Earth than any Apollo mission, passing 4,700 miles beyond the Moon’s far side.
For context on how global military and geopolitical competition is shaping the new space race, including the China-US rivalry in lunar exploration, read our full breakdown of US vs Iran Military Comparison 2026 and our analysis of the AI Market Size Worldwide 2020 to 2031, which includes the technology investment race that underpins modern space programs.
For the full official mission documentation and live countdown updates, visit NASA’s official Artemis II mission page at nasa.gov and for the complete mission history and technical profile, see the Artemis II Wikipedia article.
For tracking how global investment in space technology connects to broader economic trends, see our data guide on Interest Rates: Statistics, Trends and Key Facts 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions About Artemis II
1. When is Artemis II launching?
Artemis II is launching on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. The two-hour launch window opens at 6:24 PM Eastern Time from Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
2. What time is the Artemis II launch?
The Artemis II launch window opens at 6:24 PM ET on April 1, 2026. That is 5:24 PM CT, 4:24 PM MT, and 3:24 PM PT. International viewers can tune in at 11:24 PM GMT.
3. What time does Artemis II launch on Wednesday?
On Wednesday, April 1, 2026, the Artemis II launch window opens at 6:24 PM Eastern Time. The two-hour window means liftoff can occur at any point between 6:24 PM and 8:24 PM ET.
4. What is Artemis II?
Artemis II is NASA’s first crewed mission under the Artemis lunar exploration program. It will send four astronauts on a 10-day journey around the Moon and back, using the Space Launch System rocket and the Orion crew capsule. It is the first crewed mission beyond low Earth orbit since Apollo 17 in 1972.
5. Who is the Artemis II crew?
The Artemis II crew is Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, Mission Specialist Christina Koch (all from NASA), and Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen from the Canadian Space Agency.
6. Who is Christina Koch?
Christina Koch is a NASA astronaut from Grand Rapids, Michigan and an engineer who holds the record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman, with 328 days on the International Space Station. On Artemis II, she becomes the first woman in history to travel to the Moon’s vicinity.
7. Will the Artemis II crew land on the Moon?
No. Artemis II is a lunar flyby, not a landing. The crew will fly approximately 4,700 miles beyond the far side of the Moon on a free-return trajectory and come back to Earth. The first lunar landing attempt under Artemis is planned for Artemis III, targeted for 2028.
8. How long is the Artemis II mission?
Artemis II is approximately a 10-day mission from launch to splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off San Diego, California.
9. Where will Artemis II land?
Artemis II will splash down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego, California. The US Navy will recover the crew and spacecraft using a San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock.
10. What is the Artemis II launch countdown?
The official countdown clock began at 4:44 PM EDT on Monday, March 30, 2026. The countdown involves powering up flight hardware, testing communication links, preparing cryogenic fueling systems, and completing final crew health checks.
11. Where to watch Artemis II launch?
You can watch the Artemis II launch live on NASA TV, the NASA website at nasa.gov, and NASA’s official YouTube channel. In-person viewing at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex requires a pre-purchased launch viewing package, which is sold out. Public viewing areas are available along Florida’s Space Coast.
12. What happened to Artemis 1?
Artemis I was the uncrewed first flight of the Space Launch System and Orion spacecraft. It launched on November 16, 2022, flew a 25.5-day mission around the Moon and into deep space, reaching 268,563 miles from Earth at its farthest point, and splashed down in the Pacific on December 11, 2022. It was a complete success in validating the hardware for crewed flight.
13. What is Artemis 3?
Artemis III is the mission planned to return humans to the Moon’s surface for the first time since Apollo 17 in 1972. It is currently targeted for 2028 and will be the first mission to land astronauts near the lunar south pole. It will also be the first mission to land a woman on the Moon. SpaceX’s Starship Human Landing System is contracted to carry the crew from lunar orbit to the surface.
14. What rocket is used for Artemis II?
Artemis II uses NASA’s Space Launch System, currently the most powerful operational rocket in the world. At liftoff it generates nearly 9 million pounds of thrust. The Orion crew capsule sits atop the rocket’s upper stage.
15. What records will Artemis II break?
Artemis II will break multiple spaceflight records. It will be the first crewed mission beyond low Earth orbit since 1972. Victor Glover becomes the first person of color to travel to the Moon’s vicinity. Christina Koch becomes the first woman. Jeremy Hansen becomes the first non-American to travel beyond low Earth orbit. The reentry speed of approximately 25,000 mph will be the fastest human atmospheric reentry in history. The four-person crew sets a new record for most people in deep space simultaneously, surpassing the three-person Apollo 8 crew.
16. What is Kennedy Space Center?
Kennedy Space Center is NASA’s primary launch facility, located on Merritt Island, Florida. It has been the launch site for all crewed US lunar missions, including all Apollo flights and now the Artemis program. Artemis II launches from Launch Complex 39B, the same pad used by Artemis I. Kennedy Space Center also operates a Visitor Complex open to the public year-round.
17. Why does it matter that Artemis II is launching in 2026?
Artemis II represents the first step in NASA’s return to the Moon in a competition with China, which is targeting 2030 for its own crewed lunar landing. Beyond geopolitics, Artemis II tests all the life support systems, navigation, and crew capabilities needed for Artemis III, the actual Moon landing. Success in April 2026 directly determines how quickly the United States can put boots on the lunar surface again.
Sources
- NASA Official Artemis II Mission Blog and Press Releases, nasa.gov, March-April 2026
- Wikipedia, Artemis II, Updated April 1, 2026
- CBS News, NASA Artemis II Full Mission Preview, March 31, 2026
- ABC News, What to Know About NASA’s Artemis II Mission, March 2026
- Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, Artemis II Launch Information, April 2026
- Space.com, Artemis 2 Live Updates, March 31, 2026
- Live Science, Artemis II Launch Live Coverage, April 1, 2026
- CNN, Meet NASA’s Artemis II Crew, March 27, 2026
- ESA, Artemis II Mission Overview, esa.int
- Astronomy.com, The Flight Path of Artemis 2, 2026