Launch Details Target launch: April 1, 2026 at 6:24 p.m. EDT 2-hour launch window Backup opportunities through April 6 Mission Overview First crewed Artemis mission Crew: 4 astronauts (NASA + Canadian Space Agency) Duration: ~10 days Mission: Fly around the Moon and return Systems Being Tested Orion spacecraft with humans onboard Life support systems and deep space capabilities Prepares for future Moon missions

Artemis II marks humanity’s return to deep space with a crew onboard for the first time since 1972. While often discussed as a systems test, the mission carries a robust scientific agenda focused on one critical variable: humans. From crew health and performance to real-time lunar observations, Artemis II uses human data to shape how future missions will safely and effectively explore beyond the Moon. This mission is not just about going farther. It is about understanding how