Humanity has embarked on a journey to the Moon! At 00:35 Italian time on April 2, 2026, NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket successfully launched from Kennedy Space Center. On board its Orion capsule, nicknamed “Integrity,” were four astronauts: NASA’s Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, along with Jeremy Hansen from the Canadian Space Agency (CSA).
This launch officially inaugurates a new era of human exploration beyond low Earth orbit, more than fifty years after the Apollo missions. Artemis II is the first crewed mission of the Artemis program, serving as a critical step toward humanity’s return to the lunar surface, anticipated with the Artemis IV mission in 2028. Notably, this mission marks the first time a person of color, a woman, and a non-American have flown together on a deep-space mission beyond Earth.
The launch occurred after years of development, rigorous testing, and various delays. The SLS rocket, the most powerful ever built by NASA, propelled the Orion capsule on a trajectory that will take it on a flyby around the Moon before its return to Earth in approximately 10 days.
While Artemis II does not include a lunar landing, it is a profoundly important mission designed to demonstrate the readiness of the SLS-Orion system for future crewed lunar surface missions. During the flight, key systems such as navigation, communication, and life support will undergo extensive testing, alongside high-speed re-entry operations into Earth’s atmosphere. The astronauts will also conduct a series of scientific experiments.
Pre-Launch Operations
The hours leading up to launch were marked by a meticulous sequence of technical operations and verifications, all essential to ensure crew safety and the proper functioning of the entire system. The pre-launch countdown commenced approximately 49 hours before the scheduled departure, initiating the final preparatory phases.
April 1 at Kennedy Space Center began with the evacuation of Launch Pad 39B for non-essential personnel, followed by the cryogenic propellant loading procedures into the SLS rocket’s tanks. This delicate operation, which spanned several hours, required extremely low temperatures to maintain liquid hydrogen and oxygen.
Meanwhile, the crew completed their final preparations before being transported to the launch pad. Throughout the countdown, ground teams continuously monitored all parameters of the rocket and capsule. Onboard systems, from communications to propulsion, were verified multiple times to ensure every component was flight-ready.
A couple of anomalies required resolution. The first involved communication systems with the Flight Termination System (FTS) – the rocket’s safety system designed to destroy it in flight in case of trajectory deviations, preventing risks to ground areas. The second was related to a sensor in one of the Launch Abort System’s batteries, an emergency system designed to quickly propel the Orion capsule away from the rocket if problems arose during launch.
These issues were resolved swiftly. After a hold at the T-10 minute mark, the definitive ‘GO’ came in the final minutes of the countdown, following a last round of checks by flight control. All systems were nominal, prompting NASA to resume the countdown and proceed with the launch. At 00:35, SLS, Orion, and the four astronauts successfully lifted off!
Launch and Next Steps for the Artemis II Mission
Upon ignition of its main engines and solid rocket boosters, the SLS rocket began its powerful ascent. During the initial minutes of flight, the vehicle successfully navigated critical phases, including passing through maximum aerodynamic pressure (Max-Q), maintaining nominal performance.
Approximately two minutes later, the solid rocket boosters separated as planned, allowing the core stage’s main engines to continue propulsion. Shortly thereafter, the core stage itself was jettisoned, enabling the ICPS upper stage to propel Orion into Earth orbit.
Once the initial orbit is achieved, the Orion capsule will perform a series of burns to enter the Trans-Lunar Injection (TLI) trajectory. Subsequently, several proximity operations will be executed.
Over the coming days, Orion will progressively move further away from Earth. Throughout the journey, the crew will test onboard systems, including autonomous navigation and life support, which are crucial for future missions.
The lunar flyby will see the capsule pass close to the Moon’s surface without entering orbit, utilizing lunar gravity to alter its trajectory and initiate the return journey to Earth. This mission profile allows for testing deep-space flight conditions while maintaining a significant safety margin.
All post-launch phases will be continuously monitored by mission control, which will track every stage of the journey until re-entry.
The 10-Day Mission: What to Expect
The Artemis II mission will span approximately 10 days, during which the crew will undertake a series of critical activities to validate the Orion system under real operational conditions. This constitutes a comprehensive test of all phases of a crewed mission to the Moon.
In the initial days, after departing Earth orbit, the astronauts will focus on verifying onboard systems. This includes monitoring internal pressure, air quality, and the functionality of communication systems with Earth. Manual control maneuvers of the capsule will also be tested, ensuring the crew can directly intervene if necessary.
During its journey to the Moon, Orion will reach distances from Earth unprecedented for a crewed mission since the Apollo era. This will enable the collection of invaluable data on the deep-space environment, including radiation exposure.
The lunar flyby will be one of the most significant moments of the mission. The crew will have the opportunity to observe the surface of our satellite up close, while onboard systems continue to gather data.
During the re-entry phase, Orion will enter Earth’s atmosphere at very high speeds, rigorously testing its heat shield designed to withstand extreme temperatures. Following re-entry, the capsule will splash down in the ocean, where it will be recovered by support teams. Splashdown is scheduled for April 11 at 2:10 AM Italian time.
