NASA’s Artemis II mission to fly around the far side of the Moon

Humans haven’t stepped foot on the Moon since NASA’s Apollo 17 mission in 1972. Now, the space agency is racing to get back to the lunar surface under the umbrella of its Artemis program — a nod to the Greek goddess and twin sister of Apollo, whose name was given to NASA’s first program to […]

7 April 2026 at 04:51 am

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NASA’s Artemis II mission to fly around the far side of the Moon

Humans haven't stepped foot on the Moon since NASA's Apollo 17 mission in 1972, marking a gap of over five decades since the last lunar landing. Now, the space agency is determined to reestablish a human presence on the lunar surface through its Artemis program, named after the Greek goddess Artemis, the twin sister of Apollo. The ambitious goal of the Artemis program is not just to send astronauts to plant flags and leave footprints, but to create a sustainable presence near the Moon. Additionally, NASA aims to send the first woman to the Moon as part of this historic endeavor.

The Artemis program has faced numerous challenges over the years, including delays, development mishaps, and significant budget overruns. However, these obstacles have not deterred the space agency from pursuing its ambitious vision. The program's first major milestone, Artemis I, successfully completed its uncrewed mission in 2022, paving the way for future crewed missions.

On April 2nd, 2026, Artemis II launched from the Kennedy Space Center, carrying four astronauts in its Orion capsule. The mission's objective is to travel around the Moon before returning to Earth in approximately 10 days. This journey serves as a critical test of the hardware and systems that will eventually enable humans to walk on the lunar surface again in the Artemis IV mission, scheduled for 2028.

During the Artemis II mission, the astronauts will face several significant milestones. On Monday, April 6th, the crew is set to break the record for the farthest distance humans have ever traveled away from Earth. As the Orion spacecraft passes behind the Moon, a planned drop in communications will occur, adding an element of suspense to the mission.

NASA's Orion spacecraft has reached its maximum distance from Earth at 252,756 miles, a remarkable achievement that underscores the technological advancements made since the Apollo era. The Artemis II astronauts will also have the opportunity to name a crater on the Moon, a tradition that dates back to the Apollo missions.

The Artemis II mission not only represents a significant step forward in NASA's lunar exploration efforts but also symbolizes the space agency's commitment to pushing the boundaries of human achievement. As the crew continues on their historic journey, the world watches with anticipation, eager to witness the next chapter in lunar exploration and the eventual return of humans to the Moon's surface.

Source: The Verge

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