Trending Now - Nasa's Artemis II Launch: Historic Crewed Moon Mission Begins Today
WHO:
ABC News - The crew of Artemis II consists of mission commander Reid Wiseman, mission pilot Victor J. Glover Jr., mission specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen.
Engadget - The astronauts include NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen.
WHAT:
Space.com - Artemis II successfully launched on April 1, 2026, marking the first crewed lunar flight since Apollo 17 in 1972.
NBC News - The Artemis II mission will take the crew on a journey that includes a critical engine burn on April 2, 2026, to send the astronauts on a looping journey around the moon.
CBS News - The Artemis II crew will reach a stable orbit after launch, initiating a series of mission milestones, including a manual test drive called the Proximity Operations Demonstration.
CNN - The crew is looking forward to one of the first milestones of the mission: taking the spacecraft for a manual test drive called the Proximity Operations Demonstration.
CNN - The crew will practice piloting Orion toward the ICPS, flying about 328 feet (100 meters) away from the upper stage before flipping over and then coming within about 32.8 feet (10 meters) of it.
Bloomberg Markets - The Artemis II mission will mark humanity’s return to the lunar vicinity for the first time in over 50 years, specifically since Apollo 17 in 1972.
Engadget - The Artemis II mission will be NASA’s first flight with a crew onboard the SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft system, and it will be humanity’s first foray into deep space since the Apollo program.
ABC News - The Artemis II mission will cover a distance of 685,000 miles, with the crew expected to enter the lunar sphere of influence on April 5, 2026.
ABC News - The Artemis II mission will take the crew on a journey of 685,000 miles, with the crew expected to enter the lunar sphere of influence on April 5, 2026.
Space.com - The Artemis II mission will mark humanity’s return to the lunar vicinity for the first time in more than 50 years.
Engadget - NASA is broadcasting a live feed of the Artemis II moon rocket from the Kennedy Space Center on Merritt Island, Florida, starting at 7:45 AM ET on April 1, 2026.
Engadget - Engineers activated the ground launch sequencer on April 1, 2026, which initiates the final countdown for the launch.
ABC News - At the mission's end, Orion will splash down in the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of San Diego, with recovery operations conducted by the U.S. Navy and NASA.
ABC News - The Artemis II mission will take the crew on a journey of 685,000 miles, with the crew expected to enter the lunar sphere of influence on April 5, 2026.
Engadget - If the launch does not occur on April 1, 2026, NASA's next launch opportunity is on April 6, 2026.
Engadget - Engineers completed critical health checks on the SLS rocket and shifted the launch system into its final configuration on March 31, 2026.
ABC News - The Artemis II mission will take the crew on a journey of 685,000 miles, with the crew expected to enter the lunar sphere of influence on April 5, 2026.
Engadget - The Artemis II mission will observe how journeys beyond Earth’s orbit affect human health during the 10-day mission.
Bloomberg Markets - The crew's Lockheed Martin Corp.-built Orion capsule is perched atop the Boeing Co.-made Space Launch System rocket.
Space.com - The Artemis II mission will mark humanity’s return to the lunar vicinity for the first time in more than 50 years.
Engadget - The Artemis II mission will be NASA’s first flight with a crew onboard the SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft system.
ABC News - NASA's Artemis II mission is scheduled to launch on April 1, 2026, between 6:24 p.m. ET and 8:24 p.m. ET.
Engadget - NASA reported an 80 percent chance of favorable weather conditions for the launch on April 1, 2026.
Space.com - The Artemis II mission will be the first crewed flight under the Artemis program since Apollo 17 in 1972.
ABC News - NASA's Artemis II mission will take the crew on a 685,000-mile journey around the moon, also referred to as a lunar fly-by.
Engadget - NASA is broadcasting a live feed of the Artemis II moon rocket from the Kennedy Space Center on Merritt Island, Florida, starting at 7:45 AM ET on April 1, 2026.
Engadget - Engineers activated the ground launch sequencer on April 1, 2026, which initiates the final countdown for the launch.
ABC News - NASA's Artemis II mission will take the crew on a 685,000-mile journey around the moon, also referred to as a lunar fly-by.
Engadget - The Artemis II mission will cover a distance of 685,000 miles, with the crew expected to enter the lunar sphere of influence on April 5, 2026.
Engadget - If the launch does not occur on April 1, 2026, NASA's next launch opportunity is on April 6, 2026.
Engadget - Engineers completed critical health checks on the SLS rocket and shifted the launch system into its final configuration on March 31, 2026.
ABC News - The Artemis II mission will take the crew on a 685,000-mile journey around the moon, also referred to as a lunar fly-by.
Engadget - NASA's Artemis II mission is the first crewed flight with a crew onboard the SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft system.
Engadget - During the 10-day mission, the astronauts will observe how journeys beyond Earth’s orbit affect human health.
ABC News - The Artemis II mission will cover a distance of 685,000 miles, with the crew expected to enter the lunar sphere of influence on April 5, 2026.
Engadget - NASA reported an 80 percent chance of favorable weather conditions for the launch on April 1, 2026.
Engadget - If the launch does not occur on April 1, 2026, NASA's next launch opportunity is on April 6, 2026.
ABC News - Artemis II is scheduled to launch on April 1, 2026, carrying a four-person crew on a 10-day journey around the moon.
Space.com - Artemis II is the first crewed moon mission since Apollo 17 in 1972.
ABC News - The mission will cover a distance of 685,000 miles.
Engadget - The launch window opens on April 1, 2026, between 6:24 p.m. ET and 8:24 p.m. ET.
ABC News - At the mission's end, Orion will splash down in the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of San Diego.
WHERE:
ABC News - The launch will take place at Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39B in Florida.
Engadget - The spacecraft will splash down in the Pacific Ocean.
WHEN:
Space.com - The Artemis II mission is scheduled to last for 10 days, concluding with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean on April 11, 2026.
Engadget - The launch was initially planned for February 2026 but was delayed due to a hydrogen leak and then again in March 2026 due to a helium issue.
Engadget - The launch was initially planned for February 2026 but was delayed due to a hydrogen leak and then again in March 2026 due to a helium issue.
Engadget - The launch was initially planned for February 2026 but was delayed due to a hydrogen leak and then again in March 2026 due to a helium issue.
Engadget - If the launch does not occur on April 1, 2026, NASA's next launch opportunity is on April 6, 2026.
Engadget - The launch window opens on April 1, 2026, between 6:24 p.m. ET and 8:24 p.m. ET.
ABC News - The launch is scheduled for April 1, 2026, with a window between 6:24 p.m. ET and 8:24 p.m. ET.
Engadget - The launch was initially planned for February 2026 but was delayed due to a hydrogen leak and then again in March 2026 due to a helium issue.
WHY:
ABC News - The mission aims to test critical spacecraft systems ahead of the Artemis IV mission, which is intended to land astronauts near the moon's South Pole in 2028.
HOW:
CNN - The Proximity Operations Demonstration will involve the crew piloting Orion toward the ICPS, flying about 328 feet (100 meters) away before coming within about 32.8 feet (10 meters) of it.
CNN - The demonstration gives the crew an opportunity to test manual capabilities, which is necessary for future missions.
Engadget - Engineers are activating the ground launch sequencer, which will initiate the final, automated 10 minutes of the launch countdown.
Engadget - Engineers are initiating the air-to-gaseous nitrogen changeover inside the rocket's cavities, replacing atmospheric air with inert nitrogen gas before fueling operations.
Engadget - Engineers are initiating the air-to-gaseous nitrogen changeover inside the rocket's cavities, replacing atmospheric air with inert nitrogen gas before fueling operations.
Engadget - Engineers activated the ground launch sequencer on April 1, 2026, which initiates the final countdown for the launch.
Engadget - Engineers are activating the ground launch sequencer, which will initiate the final, automated 10 minutes of the launch countdown.
Engadget - Engineers are initiating the air-to-gaseous nitrogen changeover inside the rocket's cavities, replacing atmospheric air with inert nitrogen gas before fueling operations.
Engadget - NASA is broadcasting a live feed of the Artemis II moon rocket from the Kennedy Space Center on Merritt Island, Florida, starting at 7:45 AM ET on April 1, 2026.
Engadget - Engineers are initiating the air-to-gaseous nitrogen changeover inside the rocket's cavities, replacing atmospheric air with inert nitrogen gas before fueling operations.
Engadget - Engineers activated the ground launch sequencer on April 1, 2026, which initiates the final countdown for the launch.
Engadget - NASA is broadcasting a live feed of the Artemis II moon rocket from the Kennedy Space Center on Merritt Island, Florida, starting at 7:45 AM ET on April 1, 2026.
Engadget - Engineers activated the ground launch sequencer on April 1, 2026, which initiates the final countdown for the launch.
Engadget - NASA is broadcasting a live feed of the Artemis II moon rocket from the Kennedy Space Center on Merritt Island, Florida, starting at 7:45 AM ET on April 1, 2026.
Engadget - Engineers activated the ground launch sequencer on April 1, 2026, which initiates the final countdown for the launch.
ABC News - The Orion crew capsule, dubbed Integrity, will be launched atop the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket.
Engadget - Engineers completed critical health checks on the SLS rocket and shifted the launch system into its final configuration on March 31, 2026.
(UPDATED April 2, 2026 11:12 UTC)
Artemis II successfully launched on Wednesday, marking the first crewed lunar flight since Apollo 17 in 1972. The mission will see the crew embark on a critical engine burn on Thursday, sending them on a looping journey around the moon, while also initiating a series of mission milestones, including a manual test drive called the Proximity Operations Demonstration. This mission is set to last for 10 days, concluding with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean April 11th.
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(UPDATED April 2, 2026 09:16 UTC)
The crew is gearing up for an exciting milestone in their mission as they prepare for a manual test drive known as the Proximity Operations Demonstration. During this demonstration, they will practice piloting the Orion spacecraft toward the Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage, flying about 328 feet away before flipping over and coming within 32.8 feet. This exercise is crucial for testing their manual capabilities, which will be essential for future missions.
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(UPDATED April 2, 2026 07:18 UTC)
The Artemis II mission is set to mark humanity's return to the lunar vicinity for the first time in over 50 years, since Apollo 17 in 1972, and it will be NASA's first crewed flight with the SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft system. Covering a distance of 685,000 miles, the crew is expected to enter the lunar sphere of influence April 5th, after a launch that was delayed from February and March due to technical issues. Engineers are currently activating the ground launch sequencer, which will kick off the final automated 10 minutes of the launch countdown.
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(UPDATED April 2, 2026 05:28 UTC)
The Artemis II mission is set to take the crew on an incredible journey of 685,000 miles, entering the lunar sphere of influence April 5th, marking humanity's return to the lunar vicinity for the first time in over 50 years. NASA began broadcasting a live feed of the moon rocket from the Kennedy Space Center on Wednesday, as engineers activated the ground launch sequencer to start the final countdown for the launch, which had been delayed twice due to technical issues. At the mission's conclusion, the Orion spacecraft will splash down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego, with recovery operations managed by the U.S. Navy and NASA.
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(UPDATED April 2, 2026 03:48 UTC)
The Artemis II mission is set to embark on a remarkable journey of 685,000 miles, with the crew expected to enter the lunar sphere of influence April 5th. Engineers completed critical health checks on the SLS rocket and finalized the launch system configuration on Tuesday, paving the way for the anticipated launch, which was initially scheduled for February but faced delays due to a hydrogen leak and a helium issue. If the launch does not take place on Wednesday, NASA's next opportunity will be April 6th, as engineers continue preparations by replacing atmospheric air with inert nitrogen gas inside the rocket's cavities.
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(UPDATED April 2, 2026 01:20 UTC)
The Artemis II mission is set to take the crew on a remarkable journey of 685,000 miles, with plans to enter the lunar sphere of influence April 5th. This mission will also focus on observing how space travel beyond Earth’s orbit impacts human health over the course of ten days. Engineers activated the ground launch sequencer on Wednesday, which kicks off the final countdown, but if the launch does not happen as scheduled, NASA's next opportunity will be April 6th.
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(UPDATED April 1, 2026 23:06 UTC)
The Artemis II mission is set to make history as humanity's return to the lunar vicinity for the first time in over 50 years, with NASA's crewed flight aboard the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft. At this moment, engineers are activating the ground launch sequencer, which will kick off the final automated 10 minutes of the launch countdown. The Orion capsule, built by Lockheed Martin, is currently perched atop the Boeing-made rocket, ready for this monumental journey.
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(UPDATED April 1, 2026 21:09 UTC)
NASA's Artemis II mission is set to launch on Wednesday, with a window opening between 6:24 p.m. and 8:24 p.m. Eastern Time, and the agency reports an 80 percent chance of favorable weather for the event. This mission marks the first crewed flight under the Artemis program since Apollo 17 in 1972, and engineers are currently working on changing the air inside the rocket's cavities to inert nitrogen gas in preparation for fueling. For those interested, NASA will provide a live feed of the Artemis II moon rocket from the Kennedy Space Center starting at 7:45 a.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday.
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(UPDATED April 1, 2026 19:18 UTC)
NASA's Artemis II mission is set to embark on a remarkable 685,000-mile journey around the moon, known as a lunar fly-by, with a launch window opening on Wednesday, between 6:24 p.m. and 8:24 p.m. ET. A live feed of the Artemis II moon rocket will be broadcast from the Kennedy Space Center, starting at 7:45 AM ET on the same day, as engineers have activated the ground launch sequencer to kick off the final countdown. In preparation for fueling operations, engineers are currently replacing atmospheric air with inert nitrogen gas inside the rocket's cavities.
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(UPDATED April 1, 2026 17:15 UTC)
NASA's Artemis II mission is set to embark on a remarkable 685,000-mile journey around the moon, with the crew expected to enter the lunar sphere of influence April 5th. Engineers completed critical health checks on the SLS rocket and activated the ground launch sequencer on Wednesday, marking the start of the final countdown for the launch. For those interested, NASA is providing a live feed of the Artemis II moon rocket from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, beginning at 7:45 AM ET.
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(UPDATED April 1, 2026 15:18 UTC)
NASA's Artemis II mission is set to embark on a remarkable 685,000-mile journey around the moon, marking the first crewed flight with astronauts aboard the SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft system. During the ten-day mission, the crew will study how traveling beyond Earth's orbit impacts human health, as engineers activated the ground launch sequencer on Wednesday, initiating the final countdown for the launch. A live feed of the Artemis II moon rocket is being broadcast from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, starting at 7:45 AM ET.
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(UPDATED April 1, 2026 13:20 UTC)
NASA is gearing up for the Artemis II mission, which will cover a distance of 685,000 miles, with the crew expected to enter the lunar sphere of influence April 5th. The agency has reported an 80 percent chance of favorable weather conditions for the launch scheduled for on Wednesday, and engineers have activated the ground launch sequencer to kick off the final countdown. If the launch does not take place on Wednesday, NASA's next opportunity will be April 6th.
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(UPDATED April 1, 2026 11:18 UTC)
Artemis II is set to launch on Wednesday, from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, carrying a four-person crew that includes mission commander Reid Wiseman, mission pilot Victor J. Glover Jr., and mission specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen. This mission marks the first crewed moon journey since Apollo 17 in 1972, covering a distance of 685,000 miles over ten days, with the Orion crew capsule, named Integrity, splashing down in the Pacific Ocean at the mission's conclusion. The launch window opens between 6:24 p.m. and 8:24 p.m. ET, following delays due to technical issues earlier this year.