The first crewed lunar mission in almost 50 years is slated to launch as early as April 1. The test flight, lasting about 10 days, will send four astronauts around the moon in what could set a record for the longest distance humans have traveled from Earth.
The mission will be the second space trip for NASA’s Space Launch System rocket and Orion capsule but the first carrying humans. In 2022, Artemis I was launched as an uncrewed test flight, traveling about the same path that Artemis II is set to travel.
A rehearsal was conducted in early February ahead of the original launch day, after being postponed due to cold weather. A hydrogen leak and additional tech repairs pushed the launch off for months.
Once it is launched, Artemis II will orbit the Earth twice before being propelled towards the moon, creating a figure-eight pattern before returning back to Earth.
The Artemis II test flight will pave the way for the Artemis III, which aims to take humans to the moon around 2027.