Prepare for a groundbreaking chapter in human spaceflight as NASA gears up for Artemis II, its inaugural crewed test flight around the Moon. This pivotal mission will send four astronauts farther into space than any humans have traveled in over 50 years, rigorously testing the Orion spacecraft’s vital life support systems before future lunar landings and journeys to Mars. Get ready to witness history in the making with comprehensive live coverage across multiple platforms, kicking off with a targeted launch on Wednesday, April 1, at 6:24 p.m. EDT.
The Dawn of a New Lunar Era: What is Artemis II?
Artemis II is more than just a mission; it’s a monumental step forward for humanity’s return to the Moon and beyond. As the first crewed flight of NASA’s ambitious Artemis program, this mission will send four brave astronauts on an approximately 10-day, 685,000-mile journey around the Moon and back. Their primary objective: to prove that the Orion spacecraft can safely sustain humans in deep space.
This critical test flight will evaluate Orion’s deep space capabilities with a human crew onboard, focusing intensely on its life support systems. Astronauts will also practice manually flying Orion for the first time, gathering invaluable data on its handling qualities for future, more complex missions. This journey builds directly on the success of Artemis I, an uncrewed flight test that successfully orbited the Moon in 2022.
Meet the Historic Artemis II Crew
This mission carries a truly international crew, representing the cutting edge of space exploration:
Reid Wiseman (NASA astronaut), Commander
Victor Glover (NASA astronaut), Pilot
Christina Koch (NASA astronaut), Mission Specialist
Jeremy Hansen (CSA – Canadian Space Agency astronaut), Mission Specialist
These four explorers will launch aboard NASA’s powerful Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, propelling the Orion spacecraft into lunar orbit. Their flight trajectory is a unique “figure-eight” path, expertly designed to harness the Moon’s gravity for a slingshot return to Earth. If launched on April 1, the crew could surpass the record for the farthest distance humans have flown from Earth, previously set by Apollo 13.
Your Front-Row Seat to the Moon: How to Watch Artemis II Live
NASA is pulling out all the stops to ensure the public can follow every moment of the Artemis II Moon mission, from pre-launch preparations to splashdown. An extensive array of live coverage will be available across various platforms, offering unprecedented access to this historic journey.
All-Access Live Streaming Platforms
You won’t miss a single beat with NASA’s comprehensive broadcast schedule. Live coverage of all pre-launch, launch, and mission events for Artemis II will be available on:
NASA’s YouTube channel: Expect continuous 24/7 mission coverage once the journey begins.
NASA+: The agency’s streaming service will provide dedicated launch, lunar flyby, and splashdown coverage.
Amazon Prime: Viewers can also tune in through Amazon Prime for key events.
Additionally, a separate live stream providing dynamic views directly from the Orion spacecraft will be available as bandwidth permits, offering a breathtaking perspective from deep space.
Track the Mission in Real-Time
Stay informed with the latest updates and visuals throughout the mission:
Artemis Blog: NASA will provide real-time updates and commentary.
Artemis II Multimedia: Access the latest imagery and video content at nasa.gov/artemis-ii-multimedia.
Orion Tracking: Follow the spacecraft’s journey through space at nasa.gov/trackartemis.
For those eager to dive deeper, NASA also offers a virtual guest program for this mission. Register online to receive curated launch resources, notifications, and even a digital stamp for your NASA virtual guest passport after launch.
Countdown to Liftoff: Key Pre-Launch Events to Follow
The path to launch is filled with crucial milestones and media opportunities. While the integrated SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft completed their four-mile journey from the Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Pad 39B back in January 2026, marking a significant step, the final preparations are now underway. The targeted launch for the Artemis II Moon mission is no earlier than 6:24 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, April 1, from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, within a two-hour launch window. Additional launch opportunities extend through Monday, April 6.
Here’s a breakdown of the essential pre-launch events for media and the public:
Friday, March 27, 2:15 p.m. EDT: The Artemis II crew will arrive at Kennedy Space Center. They will answer questions from credentialed media, joined by NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman and CSA President Lisa Campbell.
Sunday, March 29, 11:30 a.m. EDT: The Artemis II crew will virtually answer reporters’ questions from their quarantine facility.
Sunday, March 29, 2 p.m. EDT: NASA will hold a status update briefing on launch preparations, featuring key program managers.
Monday, March 30, 5 p.m. EDT: Following a critical mission meeting, NASA will host a news conference to provide another status update on launch preparations.
Tuesday, March 31, 1 p.m. EDT: A final prelaunch news conference will address the countdown status and provide critical weather insights from the 45th Weather Squadron Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
Journey Beyond Earth: In-Flight Mission Milestones & Coverage
Once the SLS rocket ignites, the real adventure begins. NASA’s extensive coverage will follow the crew through every phase of their journey around the Moon.
Launch Day Spectacle (Wednesday, April 1)
7:45 a.m. EDT: Live coverage of tanking operations, loading propellant into the SLS rocket, begins with commentator audio and rocket views.
12:50 p.m. EDT: NASA+ initiates comprehensive launch coverage. This broadcast will continue on YouTube after Orion’s solar array wings deploy in space.
Approximately 2.5 hours after launch: A post-launch news conference will take place after the SLS upper stage performs its critical burn, sending Orion and its crew into high Earth orbit.
Deep Space Operations and Lunar Flyby
Real-time mission coverage continues on YouTube, complemented by daily mission status briefings from NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, beginning Thursday, April 2 (excluding April 6 due to the lunar flyby). The crew will also participate in live conversations, known as “downlinks,” throughout their mission.
Key in-mission events include:
Thursday, April 2, 8:30 p.m. EDT: A mission status briefing follows the translunar injection burn, propelling Orion towards the Moon. This is immediately followed by a live downlink event from the crew at 10:24 p.m. EDT.
Monday, April 6, 12:45 p.m. EDT: NASA+ provides dedicated coverage of the dramatic lunar flyby. If launched on April 1, the crew is projected to surpass the Apollo 13 record for farthest human distance from Earth. During this phase, video from the spacecraft may be limited as Orion flies through an eclipse, and a temporary loss of communications is expected as the spacecraft passes behind the Moon’s far side.
Tuesday, April 7, 2:29 p.m. EDT: The Artemis II crew will engage in a unique audio-only conversation with astronauts aboard the International Space Station.
Thursday, April 9, 5:59 p.m. EDT: A comprehensive crew news conference will allow the astronauts to share their experiences from space.
The Return Home: Splashdown and Beyond
The mission culminates with a critical and highly anticipated return to Earth.
Friday, April 10, 6:30 p.m. EDT: NASA+ coverage begins for the crew’s return to Earth.
8:06 p.m. EDT: Splashdown of the Orion capsule in the Pacific Ocean. NASA and U.S. Department of War personnel will be on hand to assist the crew from Orion and transport them to a waiting recovery ship.
- 10:35 p.m. EDT: A post-splashdown news conference will be held at NASA Johnson Space Center, discussing the mission’s successful conclusion.
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Why Artemis II Matters: A Stepping Stone to Mars
Artemis II is far more than a lunar flyby; it is a foundational pillar for humanity’s long-term presence in space. By thoroughly testing Orion’s life support and deep space capabilities with a human crew, NASA is gathering crucial data for future, increasingly complex missions. These include Artemis III and IV, which aim to land astronauts on the Moon’s South Pole—a region believed to hold vital water ice deposits for future sustenance and fuel production.
This mission also facilitates important scientific investigations, such as the AVATAR experiment, designed to advance preparations for extended deep space travel. The crew’s geology training, even for a flyby mission, underscores its role in paving the way for lunar surface exploration. Compared to the Apollo era, NASA now benefits from significantly advanced space weather monitoring, crucial for ensuring astronaut safety from solar storms. The data collected by the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) since 2009 has been indispensable in planning Artemis trajectories and future landing sites.
The Artemis program, with Artemis II at its core, represents a strategic commitment to expanding scientific discovery, fostering economic benefits in lunar orbit, and ultimately establishing a robust foundation for the first human missions to Mars. It’s a vision for sustainable exploration that will shape the next generation of space pioneers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary goal of the Artemis II mission?
The primary goal of the Artemis II mission is to conduct the first crewed test flight of NASA’s Orion spacecraft in deep space. This mission will rigorously evaluate Orion’s critical life support systems and overall capabilities with human occupants, preparing for future lunar landings and human missions to Mars. The crew will also practice manual flight maneuvers and conduct scientific investigations during their approximately 10-day journey around the Moon.
How can I watch the Artemis II mission events live?
You can watch comprehensive live coverage of the Artemis II mission across multiple NASA platforms. This includes continuous streaming on NASA’s official YouTube channel, dedicated broadcasts on NASA+ and Amazon Prime for key events like launch, lunar flyby, and splashdown. NASA also provides an Artemis blog for real-time updates, an Artemis II Multimedia page for imagery, and a tracking website at nasa.gov/trackartemis to follow Orion in space.
Why is Artemis II considered a critical step for future space exploration?
Artemis II is critical because it validates the core technologies and procedures for human deep space travel beyond low Earth orbit. By proving the Orion spacecraft’s ability to safely sustain a human crew on a journey around the Moon, it directly paves the way for the Artemis program’s long-term goals. These include establishing a sustainable human presence on the Moon (especially at the resource-rich South Pole) and, ultimately, preparing the necessary infrastructure and expertise for sending astronauts on their first historic missions to Mars.
The Artemis II Moon mission is poised to capture the world’s attention, igniting a new era of lunar exploration. With its historic crew, advanced spacecraft, and ambitious goals, this mission isn’t just about reaching the Moon—it’s about laying the groundwork for humanity’s future among the stars. Don’t miss your chance to witness every moment of this incredible journey. Mark your calendars for the targeted launch on April 1 and join NASA in celebrating this giant leap forward.
