NASA will launch Artemis II April 2, 2026 lunar flyby
Technology
NASA is about to send astronauts around the Moon for the first time since Apollo, with Artemis II launching on April 2, 2026 (3:54am. India time).
This 10-day trip will test life-support systems and take human space travel a step further using the Space Launch System and the Orion spacecraft.
Astronaut crew: Wiseman, Glover, Koch, Hansen
Artemis II features a diverse team: Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, Mission Specialist Christina Koch (who is set to be the first woman heading toward the Moon), and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen.
While they will not land this time, Commander Wiseman says their mission is key for future lunar landings, plus it shows NASA's push for inclusivity and teamwork in space.