NASA Targets February 2026 for Historic Artemis II Moon Mission
NASA is preparing for the Artemis II mission, a historic ten-day journey around the Moon planned for as early as February 2026. This marks the first crewed lunar flight in over 50 years, signifying a major step in returning humans to deep-space exploration and advancing plans for a long-term lunar presence.
Mission Overview
The Artemis II mission will carry four astronauts beyond Earth's orbit to test the Orion spacecraft's systems, procedures, and safety measures. The mission will provide critical data and experience to support future lunar landings and ensure the efficient and safe operation of upcoming missions. Originally scheduled for no later than April 2026, the launch has been moved forward, reflecting NASA's confidence.
The Artemis II Crew
The mission's crew includes Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch from NASA, and Jeremy Hansen of the Canadian Space Agency. These astronauts will journey around the Moon without landing, becoming the first humans to travel beyond low Earth orbit since Apollo 17 in 1972. Christina Koch will become the first woman to travel beyond low Earth orbit, and Victor Glover will be the first person of color to participate in a lunar mission.
"We together have a front-row seat to history. Safety is our top priority, but this mission is a major milestone in human space exploration," said Lakiesha Hawkins, NASA’s acting deputy associate administrator.
The Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion Spacecraft
The Space Launch System (SLS), designed to propel the Orion spacecraft and its crew beyond Earth, is nearly complete. Launch Director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson confirmed that the SLS rocket requires only final integration and ground testing of the Orion capsule. The SLS rocket will launch Orion into an elliptical Earth orbit. After two loops around Earth to validate systems, Orion will fire its engines for a translunar injection, setting it on a four-day course to the Moon.
Orion, which will serve as the astronauts’ home for the entire journey, will initially be boosted into Earth orbit by the SLS and two solid rocket boosters. These boosters will detach minutes after launch. Eight minutes after liftoff, the SLS core stage separates from Orion and the Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage (ICPS), allowing the spacecraft’s solar arrays to deploy and begin charging its batteries.
Mission Trajectory and Key Maneuvers
Following launch, ICPS will perform an orbit-raising maneuver, and a comprehensive systems check will take place over the next 25 hours. If successful, Orion will separate from ICPS to conduct the Proximity Operations Demonstration—a rehearsal of docking and maneuvering techniques. Twenty-three hours later, Orion will execute a Translunar Injection burn, propelling it on a four-day voyage that will carry astronauts more than 230,000 miles from Earth.
Instead of entering lunar orbit, Orion will execute a free return trajectory. This path utilises the gravitational forces of the Earth and Moon to swing the spacecraft around the lunar far side, sending the crew some 4,700 miles beyond the Moon, before gravity naturally pulls them back toward Earth. During the journey, continuous systems monitoring will ensure all spacecraft functions perform optimally.
Scientific Opportunities
In addition to testing spacecraft systems, Artemis II will provide unique scientific opportunities. NASA will study how extended space travel affects the human body by analyzing organoid tissue samples derived from the astronauts’ blood. Dr. Nicky Fox, NASA’s head of science, explained, "We want to examine in detail the effects of microgravity and radiation on these samples. While we won’t dissect the astronauts, organoids allow us to understand physiological changes during spaceflight."
Re-entry and Return to Earth
After slingshotting around the Moon, Orion will return to Earth over four days, guided by Earth’s gravity. Upon arrival, the service module will separate from the crew module. The astronauts will then face the critical re-entry phase, descending through Earth’s atmosphere before parachuting safely into the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California.
Preparing for Artemis III
The success of Artemis II is crucial for NASA’s next objective: Artemis III, which aims to land astronauts on the Moon. While NASA targets “no earlier than mid-2027” for this mission, experts caution that this timeline is ambitious. Artemis III will depend on the readiness of SpaceX’s Starship to transport astronauts to and from the lunar surface.
"They’re going at least 5,000 nautical miles past the Moon, farther than anyone has ever gone before. This mission will set the stage for humanity’s return to the lunar surface," highlighted Jeff Radigan, lead Artemis II flight director.
Key Goals and Objectives
- Test manual flight operations, piloting Orion in proximity to the spent upper stage to simulate future docking manoeuvres.
- Evaluate communication systems, switching between NASA’s Deep Space Network and near-Earth satellite systems.
- Practice emergency drills to prepare for unexpected contingencies during future lunar landings.
A Stepping Stone to Mars
The Artemis programme is more than a return to the Moon; it’s a stepping stone to Mars. By testing spacecraft, life support, and operational strategies in deep space, NASA hopes to build the foundation for longer missions to destinations farther away.
If successful, Artemis II will clear the path for Artemis III, which plans to land astronauts near the lunar South Pole – a region rich in resources like water ice that could support future lunar bases. The mission also carries symbolic weight. For the first time, the crew includes a woman, a person of colour, and an international partner – underscoring NASA’s commitment to diversity and collaboration.
The Future of Lunar Exploration
With Artemis II, NASA and its partners are preparing to close that gap once again, proving that exploration is not just about reaching new places – it’s about building the future of human spaceflight. If all goes according to plan in February 2026, Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen will write the next chapter of lunar exploration, rekindling the spirit of discovery.
