The launch of NASA’s Artemis II mission: a flight to the Moon and back in 2026

NASA’s Artemis II mission is scheduled to last approximately 10 days, including launch and landing. During this mission, the spacecraft is expected to travel about 240,000 miles to the Moon, perform a lunar flyby, and return to Earth, while simultaneously testing the Orion systems in deep space conditions.

Artemis II is expected to return to Earth around April 10−11, 2026, approximately 10 days after its launch on April 1. The crew—Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen—is set to land in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California, although the exact timing may change depending on mission conditions.

Live coverage and updates can be found on NASA’s website, NASA TV, and the agency’s social media platforms, including YouTube and X. NASA provides real-time updates, mission highlights, and videos from inside the Orion spacecraft throughout the flight.

The agency also publishes new images from the mission on its website, in the image library, and on social media, including views of Earth from deep space and close-ups from the lunar flyby.

You can also check out the complete gallery of Artemis II images on HollywoodLife’s website, featuring stunning photos of the Moon, sunsets over Earth, and much more