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Artemis II is the first crewed spaceflight in NASA’s Artemis Program — a long-term campaign that aims to send humans back to the moon for the first time since 1972.
Launched into orbit by the 322-foot-tall (98 meters) Space Launch System and Orion crew capsule stack, the mission's four-astronaut crew will take a 10-day flight around the moon and back to Earth, testing key systems and studying the impact of spaceflight on human biology. The record-setting flight will send humans farther into space than ever before.
Following a major overhaul of the Artemis program in late February, NASA now aims to ramp its Artemis missions up to an annual tempo, with Artemis III — an Earth-orbit test of a lunar lander docking — falling in 2027. If successful, NASA will follow up with the Artemis IV and V missions, two crewed lunar landing attempts, in 2028. Stay tuned for updates to this developing spaceflight story.
Latest about Artemis 2
10 Artemis II photos that define humanity's return to the moon
From spectacular views of Earth to a unique total solar eclipse, Artemis II's most breathtaking images tell the story of humanity's return to deep space after more than 50 years.
'I'm at a loss for words': Artemis II mission comes home to joy and cheers after historic 10-day mission
NASA's 10-day moon mission has officially ended with a "bullseye landing"
'Welcome home, Integrity': Artemis II crew safely returned to Earth after 'bullseye landing' to cap historic moon mission
Live Updates The Artemis II crew have safely landed in the Pacific Ocean after a historic flight around the moon. Take a look back at our live blog's launch coverage from the hours and seconds until splashdown.
There are 'reasons to be confident' about faulty Artemis II heat shield ahead of 25,000 mph reentry, space expert Ed Macaulay says
NASA's Artemis II heat shield is about to face its ultimate test as the Orion crew prepares for reentry. Physics and data science lecturer Ed Macaulay tells Live Science reasons to be confident ahead of today's historic splashdown.
The moon is green and brown? Why scientists are already excited about Artemis II's historic lunar photos
As Earth reels at the beauty of Artemis II's historic lunar flyby photos, geologists working on the mission are excited for big insights about the moon.
There's an issue with the Artemis II heat shield, but NASA isn't worried. Here's why.
The Artemis II astronauts are about to fall to Earth at the fastest speed humans have ever travelled inside a spacecraft with a compromised heat shield. But NASA remains confident they will be safe.
'So much magic': Artemis II shares first images from the far side of the moon, including new 'Earthset' and total eclipse in space
NASA's first set of images captured by the Artemis II crew during their lunar flyby are here, and they're stunning.
The Artemis II astronauts have just flown farther from Earth than any humans in history
Artemis II is now the farthest crewed mission from Earth in history. The occasion was marked by a number of poignant moments.
Artemis II moon flyby begins: How to watch and what to know
The Artemis II astronauts have reached the moon and will soon lose contact with NASA as they whip around the lunar far side. Here's how to follow along with their journey and everything you need to know about the "dark side" of the moon.
