Artemis II: Setting Records

Artemis II Launches from Kennedy Space Center Historic Pad 39B. Credit: Spacepoint/John Winkopp

The Artemis II mission; launch aboard NASAs' Space Launch System (SLS), orbit the Moon and return safely to Earth off the coast of San Diego, California, and set a few records. Total maximum mission duration 10 days.

On April 1st, 2026, four humans risked everything to become the first astronauts since Apollo to crew a human spaceflight mission to the Moon. Simultaneously, they also became the first humans to fly aboard NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) and the first to fly aboard the new higher crew capacity Orion spacecraft.

The four: Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, Mission Specialist Christina Koch, and Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen. Prior to Artemis II, between them, they have logged over 661 days in space, with Mission Specialist Christina Koch logging over 328 days herself. Canadian Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen is the only Artemis II crew member without a single day in space.

The Artemis II Crew - Left to Right Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen. Credit: Spacepoint/John Winkopp

These four will travel further than any human has ever traveled from Earth in the history of space exploration. By doing so, they will advance the Artemis program towards the Artemis III lunar lander tests in late 2027, the Artemis IV crewed moon landing in early 2028, and Artemis V, a second crewed Moon landing to begin establishing a permanent Moon base and deliver upon the vision of an enduring human presence on the Moon.