Artemis II
Artemis II will help confirm the systems and hardware needed for human deep space exploration. This mission is the first crewed flight under NASA’s Artemis campaign and is another step toward new U.S.-crewed missions on the Moon’s surface that will help the agency prepare to send American astronauts to Mars.
MISSION TYPE
Crewed Lunar Flyby
CREW SIZE
4
LAUNCH DATE
April 2026
Mission Duration
10 Days
To the Moon
The Artemis II mission will fly four astronauts around the Moon. The 10-day mission will be the first crewed test flight of the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket, the Orion spacecraft, and the Exploration Ground Systems at Kennedy Space Center in Florida needed to support them. Not only will this mission be the first time in over 50 years that human beings have seen the Moon close-up, but Artemis II will also prepare us for future human landings on the Moon and missions to Mars.
Learn MoreThe Mission
NASA’s first mission with crew under Artemis.
The success of Artemis II will pave the way for the next phase of the agency’s campaign, landing on the lunar South Pole region on Artemis III. These teams, along with the four crew members and countless NASA engineers, scientists, and personnel, are driving humanity’s exploration on the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
Learn More about The Mission
Houston We Have a Podcast
From Earth orbit to the Moon and Mars, explore the world of human spaceflight with NASA each week on the official podcast of the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Listen to in-depth conversations with the astronauts, scientists and engineers who make it possible.
View Series
The Crew
Meet the astronauts who will fly around the Moon.
Four astronauts have been selected for NASA’s Artemis II mission: NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen.
Learn More about The Crew
NASA Brand Center
NASA has established specific guidelines for the use of its brand, merchandise, and media. These guidelines are designed to ensure that the NASA brand is used consistently and appropriately across all platforms and partnerships.
View Guidelines about NASA Brand Center
Image Galleries
Collaborating with NASA
Through partnerships and collaborations, NASA reaches and inspires new audiences to engage in the agency's missions and discoveries, and boosts interest in science, technology, engineering, and math.
NASA Seeks Volunteers to Track Artemis II Mission
NASA seeks volunteers to passively track the Artemis II Orion spacecraft as the crewed mission travels to the Moon and back to Earth. This collaboration opportunity builds upon a previous request released by the agency's SCaN (Space Communication and Navigation) Program during the Artemis I mission, where ten volunteers successfully tracked the uncrewed Orion spacecraft.
NASA Shares Final Contenders for Artemis II Moon Mascot Design Contest
NASA is down to 25 finalists for the Artemis II zero gravity indicator set to fly with the mission’s crew around the Moon and back next year. Crowdsourcing company Freelancer facilitated the contest on the agency's behalf through the NASA Tournament Lab, managed by NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate. Once the crew has selected a final design, the agency's Thermal Blanket Lab will fabricate it for flight.
Journey Through Stars with NASA in New Minecraft Game
NASA invites gamers, educators, and students to grab their pickaxe and check out its latest collaboration with Minecraft exploring a new world inspired by the agency’s James Webb Space Telescope. The partnership allows creators to experience NASA’s discoveries with interactive modules on star formation, planets, and galaxy types, modeled using real Webb images.
Artemis II
Send Your Name Around the Moon
Submitted names will be included on an SD card that will fly inside Orion when the Artemis II mission launches in 2026.
NASA is inviting the public to join the agency’s Artemis II test flight as four astronauts venture around the Moon and back to test systems and hardware needed for deep space exploration. As part of the agency’s “Send Your Name with Artemis II” effort, anyone can claim their spot by signing up before Jan. 21.
Artemis II Boarding Pass about Send Your Name Around the Moon
Explore the Universe from your Inbox
Stay up-to-date on the latest news from NASA–from Earth to the Moon, the Solar System and beyond.
We will never share your email address.
