CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — A New Era for Moon Exploration

It’s quite an exciting time as humanity prepares for its first flight to the moon since 1972. NASA’s Artemis II mission is set to send four astronauts on a brief journey around our lunar neighbor. The plan? A speedy trip that will have them racing thousands of miles, doing a quick U-turn, and returning all within about ten days—no moonwalks this time around.

Nine months from now, more footprints will grace the lunar surface, but first, NASA is focusing on a few test flights. The astronauts involved—Reed Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen—are stepping up for this significant endeavor.

A Diverse Crew Ready to Make History

This mission marks a pivotal moment as the moon is poised to welcome its first woman, first person of color, and the first astronaut from outside the U.S.

Christina Koch holds a notable record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman, having spent 328 days aboard the International Space Station from 2019 to 2020, where she also participated in the first all-female spacewalk. Victor Glover, a Navy test pilot, made history as the first Black astronaut to live on the space station, working there in 2020 and 2021 and being one of the first to launch with SpaceX. Jeremy Hansen, representing the Canadian Space Agency, is the only newcomer to space of the group. The team is led by Commander Reed Wiseman, a retired Navy captain who has previously lived aboard the space station and has led NASA’s astronaut corps. The crew members’ ages range from 47 to 50 years.

The Power of the Space Launch System

Nestled within a striking design, NASA’s Space Launch System rocket stands at 322 feet (98 meters) tall. Although it’s shorter than the iconic Saturn V rocket, it boasts significantly more power, thanks in part to its strap-on boosters. The rocket’s Orion capsule will carry the astronauts into space.

The SLS utilizes components from retired space shuttle engines and operates on the same liquid hydrogen fuel. After a challenging start, including issues with hydrogen leaks and helium flow, the Artemis II mission is set to take flight following some delays.

The Flight Plan Around the Moon

Upon launch, the astronauts will circle the Earth for about 25 hours before heading towards the moon, where they plan to practice docking maneuvers. They won’t be relying on high-tech tools—instead, they’ll keep their distance by eye, aiming to remain at least 33 feet (10 meters) away from their target.

The mission is designed around the gravity of the Earth and the moon, helping to minimize fuel usage. If everything goes according to plan, they’ll travel approximately 244,000 miles (393,000 kilometers) to the moon. In fact, they’ll go even further than Apollo 13 did at its most distant point, making Artemis astronauts among the most remote explorers of our time.

What to Expect During the Lunar Flyby

During a roughly six-hour period, the crew may witness parts of the moon’s far side that have yet to be seen. As they approach, it could look as large as a basketball at arm’s length. They are eagerly studying maps and satellite images, and they anticipate an exciting photo session. NASA geologist Kelsey Young will serve as the lunar surface instructor for the flyby from mission control in Houston.

“The moon is really a unifying element,” she shared, emphasizing the mission’s broader significance. Additionally, the astronauts’ equipment will include high-grade cameras and the latest smartphones, a decision made to capture “inspirational” images.

While much focus has traditionally been on the moon’s near side, the far side remains largely uncharted territory, making this mission particularly special. Only China has managed to land on that region, so the observations from Artemis II will hold significant value for scientific knowledge.

Returning to Earth

Just like with the Apollo missions, Artemis will conclude its journey with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. During re-entry, attention will be on the Orion capsule’s heat shield, which has faced tests before and been renewed for this mission. NASA is optimizing the capsule’s descent to minimize heat exposure, with a Navy recovery ship stationed off San Diego waiting to assist as Orion descends into the sea.