CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Four astronauts embarked on a high-stakes flight around the moon Wednesday, marking humanity’s first lunar voyage in over half a century.
During the 10-day mission, anyone with internet access can track the astronauts and the NASA Orion capsule using the Artemis Real-time Orbit Website (AROW). NASA will also provide updates on their distance from Earth and the Moon, as well as the mission’s duration.
This artist’s concept compares the approximate altitude of the Orion capsule during Artemis II to the orbit of NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO), which has been studying the Moon since 2009, and the average altitude of the seven Apollo missions that orbited the Moon between 1968 and 1972.
This artist’s concept compares the approximate altitude of the Orion capsule during Artemis II to the orbit of NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO), which has been studying the Moon since 2009, and the average altitude of the seven Apollo missions that orbited the Moon between 1968 and 1972.
(NASA Goddard/CI Lab/Jonathan North)
Here’s what to know about Artemis II and the mission. You can also watch the launch in the video player above.
‘Good luck, Godspeed Artemis II. Let’s go’
NASA’s Artemis II moon rocket lifts off from the Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Pad 39-B Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)
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Carrying three Americans and one Canadian, the 32-story rocket launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, where tens of thousands gathered to witness the dawn of this new era. The atmosphere was reminiscent of the Apollo moonshots in the 1960s and ’70s, with crowds packing surrounding roads and beaches. This mission represents NASA’s biggest step yet towards establishing a permanent lunar presence.
“On this historic mission, you take with you the heart of this Artemis team, the daring spirit of the American people, and our partners across the globe, as well as the hopes and dreams of a new generation,” said launch director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson to the crew just before liftoff. “Good luck, Godspeed Artemis II. Let’s go.”
Artemis II launched from the same site that sent Apollo’s explorers to the moon decades ago. The few Apollo astronauts still alive cheered for this new generation’s grand adventure as the Space Launch System rocket roared into the early evening sky, with a nearly full moon beckoning about 248,000 miles (400,000 kilometers) away.
Five minutes into the flight, Commander Reid Wiseman excitedly announced, “We have a beautiful moonrise, we’re headed right at it.” Accompanying him were pilot Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canada’s Jeremy Hansen. This crew is notable for its diversity, featuring the first woman, person of color, and non-U.S. citizen to fly in NASA’s new Orion capsule.
“NASA is back in the business of sending astronauts to the moon,” remarked NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman after liftoff, calling the half-century hiatus a brief intermission.
What’s on tap for the 10-day test flight?
The astronauts will remain close to home for the first 25 hours of their mission, testing the capsule in orbit around Earth before firing the main engine to propel them toward the moon.
Unlike Apollo 8, which orbited the moon, the Artemis II crew won’t make a stopover or orbit the lunar body. Instead, they will become the most distant humans ever when their capsule zooms past the moon and continues another 4,000 miles (6,400 kilometers) beyond, before making a U-turn and heading back home for a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.
Once in a high orbit around Earth, the astronauts took manual control of the capsule to practice steering it around the rocket’s detached upper stage, getting as close as 33 feet (10 meters). This is crucial for NASA to understand how Orion handles in case the self-flying feature fails and the pilots need to take control.
The crew has an amazing sight in store
During the lunar flyby, the moon will appear to the astronauts like a basketball at arm’s length. They will take turns gazing through Orion’s windows with cameras. If the lighting is favorable, they will see features never before viewed by human eyes. Additionally, they will experience a total solar eclipse, donning eclipse glasses as the moon briefly blocks the sun, revealing the corona.
All of NASA’s future moon plans—ranging from an increase in launches over the next few years to establishing a sustainable moon base with robotic rovers and drones—hinge on the success of Artemis II.
It has been over three years since the previous Artemis I mission, which was the only other time NASA’s SLS rocket and Orion capsule soared. Unlike Artemis II, Artemis I had no astronauts aboard and lacked essential crew features such as life-support systems, a water dispenser, and a toilet.
These important systems are making their space debut on Artemis II, increasing
