NASA launches Artemis II, 1st human lunar flyby since Apollo
NASA just kicked off Artemis II, sending astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen on the first human lunar flyby since Apollo.
The mission started April 1, 2026, and even got a shoutout from Google's Sundar Pichai, who wished the crew well and said, "Imagining the amazing view they have, looking down at Earth from space would be a beautiful thing."
Crew to test life support systems
Over the next 10 days, the team will test life support systems and capture never-before-seen views of the moon's far side.
NASA administrator Jared Isaacman called it Today's launch marks a defining moment for space exploration.
Artemis II sets up future missions, including plans for an enduring presence on the Moon and eventually sending humans to Mars, making it a big step toward living (and working) beyond Earth.