Humans are returning to the moon after 50 years: Here’s all you need to know about NASA’s Artemis II mission

For the first time in more than 50 years, humans are preparing to travel back to the Moon, and all eyes are on Artemis II. Scheduled for launch no earlier than Wednesday, April 1, 2026, this historic mission by NASA will send four astronauts on a 10-day journey around the Moon, marking the first crewed lunar mission since 1972.

But will they land on the Moon? Not yet.

Artemis II is a critical test flight designed to prove that humans can safely travel to deep space using the Space Launch System and the Orion spacecraft. The mission will test life-support systems, navigation, and astronaut safety while orbiting the Moon before returning to Earth.

Instead, Artemis II is a crucial test mission designed to prove that humans can safely travel to deep space again. And it’s setting the stage for something even bigger. 

In this article, Pulse breaks down everything you need to know about Artemis II, from launch date and crew to mission goals and what it means for future Moon landings based on insights from NASA, the Canadian Space Agency, and European partners.

Artemis II is the first crewed mission in NASA’s Artemis programme and the first time humans will travel to the Moon since the Apollo era.

• Mission type: Crewed lunar flyby

• Duration: About 10 days

• Goal: Test systems needed for future Moon landings

• Landing: Splashdown in the Pacific Ocean

Unlike the famous Apollo missions, Artemis II will not land on the Moon. Instead, it will orbit around it and return to Earth.

NASA is currently targeting the launch of the Artemis II mission for no earlier than Wednesday, April 1, 2026, with the primary launch window scheduled to open at 6:24 p.m. EDT (22:24 UTC) from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida.

The mission has faced several delays over the years due to:

• Technical issues like hydrogen leaks

• Additional safety testing

• Refinements to the spacecraft

While delays can be frustrating, they’re also critical because this mission carries human lives.

The Artemis II crew brings together a highly experienced and diverse team of four astronauts, each playing a critical role in humanity’s return to deep space. 

Reid Wiseman is a former U.S. Navy pilot and seasoned spaceflight leader. He commands the mission with years of operational expertise. 

Victor Glover is a naval aviator and test pilot who made history on SpaceX’s Crew-1 mission and has now become the first Black astronaut to travel to the Moon’s vicinity. 

Mission specialist Christina Koch brings a strong scientific background and record-breaking experience, having completed one of the longest single spaceflights by a woman.

Jeremy Hansen is a former fighter pilot who represents Canada as the first non-American to journey beyond low Earth orbit.

This marks a new era of diversity in space exploration. Here is why this crew is historic:

• Christina Koch will be the first woman to travel to the Moon’s vicinity

• Victor Glover will be the first Black astronaut to do so

• Jeremy Hansen becomes the first non-American to go beyond low Earth orbit

To get to the Moon, NASA is using some of the most advanced space technology ever built.

This is NASA’s most powerful rocket ever, designed specifically for deep space missions.

This is where the astronauts will live during the mission. It includes:

• Life support systems

• Navigation technology

• Heat shields for re-entry

The Artemis II crew has named their spacecraft "Integrity".

Here’s how the journey will unfold:

• Launch from Earth aboard the Space Launch System

• Orbit Earth briefly

• Fire engines to head toward the Moon

• Travel deep into space

• Loop around the Moon using a free-return trajectory

• Pass behind the Moon (far side)

• Head back to Earth

• Re-enter Earth’s atmosphere at extreme speed

• Splash down in the Pacific Ocean

In total, the astronauts will travel over 600,000 miles.

This mission has three major goals:

Can humans safely live and work beyond Earth’s orbit again? NASA will study:

• Radiation exposure

• Mental and physical health

• Daily operations in space

Every system on board will be tested, including:

• Navigation

• Communication

• Propulsion

If anything fails, it’s better to find out now before a landing mission.

Everything learned from Artemis II will feed directly into Artemis III, which aims to land humans on the Moon.

The last time humans left low Earth orbit was during the Apollo missions. Artemis II marks a true return to deep space exploration.

NASA isn’t stopping at the Moon. The Artemis programme is designed to:

• Build long-term presence on the Moon

• Prepare humans for Mars missions

Unlike the Apollo missions, Artemis is international. The mission involves:

• NASA

• The Canadian Space Agency

• European partners

This is space exploration as a shared human effort.

Experts believe the Moon could become a hub for:

• Mining resources

• Scientific research

• Space tourism

The Artemis programme could unlock a multi-billion-dollar space economy.

Space is still incredibly dangerous, and Artemis II is pushing boundaries. Some of the biggest risks include:

• Radiation exposure beyond Earth’s protective shield

• Extreme re-entry speeds—faster than previous missions

• New rocket systems that are still being tested

• Unpredictable space conditions

Artemis II is just the beginning. Next up:

• Artemis III: Planned Moon landing

• Future missions: Lunar base and space station (Gateway)

The long-term vision? Humans living and working on the Moon. And eventually travelling to Mars.

Artemis II is NASA’s first crewed mission to the Moon’s vicinity in over 50 years and a major step toward returning humans to the lunar surface. Scheduled for launch in 2026, the mission will carry four astronauts: Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen on a 10-day journey around the Moon without landing.

Flying aboard the powerful Space Launch System and the Orion spacecraft, the crew will travel over 600,000 miles, testing life support, navigation, and communication systems in deep space. The mission will also study how humans cope with radiation and long-distance space travel.