CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — NASA has confirmed that Artemis II, the first crewed mission to orbit the Moon in over 50 years, is targeting launch in September 2026.
“This mission will pave the way for a sustainable human presence on the Moon,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson.
Mission Details
The crew of four astronauts — Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen — will embark on a 10-day journey, testing life-support systems and conducting a lunar flyby before returning to Earth.
Challenges and Delays
Originally planned for 2024, Artemis II has faced delays due to spacecraft readiness issues and safety checks on Orion’s heat shield. Engineers are also incorporating lessons from the uncrewed Artemis I mission.
Strategic Importance
The mission is a precursor to Artemis III, which aims to land astronauts on the Moon’s south pole. The program is a joint effort involving the European Space Agency (ESA) and Canadian Space Agency (CSA).