Artemis II mission launches: NASA sends first crewed flight around the Moon in over 50 years

The mission launched from Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 18:35 local time. The four-member crew — Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen — will not land on the Moon but instead fly around it, paving the way for future lunar landings, according to the BBC.

The approximately 10-day mission is the first crewed test of NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft capsule. Its main objective is to test critical systems needed for upcoming Moon missions.

The launch had previously been delayed several times due to technical issues. Problems were identified in the flight termination system and the battery of the Launch Abort System, as well as hydrogen and helium leaks. After liftoff, a brief communication issue meant ground control could not hear the astronauts, and a toilet malfunction was also reported, though both issues were later resolved, according to the BBC.

During ascent, the rocket’s boosters separated after helping the spacecraft reach high speeds. The crew then crossed the Kármán line — the boundary between Earth’s atmosphere and space — officially entering orbit. Commander Reid Wiseman described the view as “amazing.”

During the mission, astronauts will test Orion’s maneuverability, life-support, propulsion, power, and navigation systems. They will also conduct experiments, send back images and data from deep space, and serve as test subjects in microgravity conditions, according to the BBC.

Artemis II does not include a Moon landing. Instead, it is a preparatory mission for future flights, including Artemis III and Artemis IV. NASA aims to test landing systems with Artemis III in 2027 and carry out a crewed lunar landing near the Moon’s south pole with Artemis IV in 2028.

NASA is also working with commercial partners for future lunar landings, including SpaceX Starship and Blue Origin lunar lander.

The last crewed Moon mission was Apollo 17 in 1972. The Artemis program aims to establish a long-term human presence on the Moon and prepare for future missions to Mars.

Other countries are also advancing their lunar ambitions. China plans a crewed landing near the Moon’s south pole by 2030, while India aims to send astronauts by around 2040 following the success of Chandrayaan-3.

Future phases of Artemis are expected to focus on building lunar infrastructure, including a base and expanded international collaboration.