As of April 2, 2026, the crew is currently in a high-Earth orbit, performing critical system checks on the Orion spacecraft.
Trans-Lunar Injection (TLI): A major engine burn is scheduled for tonight to propel the spacecraft out of Earth's orbit and toward the Moon.
Lunar Flyby: The crew is expected to reach the Moon by Monday, April 6, swinging around the far side at a distance of about 4,144 miles from the surface.
Mission Record: During this flyby, the astronauts will travel roughly 253,000 miles from Earth—the farthest any human has ever ventured into space, surpassing the record set by Apollo 13.
Splashdown: The 10-day mission is slated to conclude with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean on April 10, 2026.
The Artemis II Crew
The mission is piloted by a diverse four-person crew representing several "firsts" in lunar exploration:
Reid Wiseman (Commander): NASA
Victor Glover (Pilot): The first person of color to travel to the Moon
Christina Koch (Mission Specialist): The first woman on a lunar mission
Jeremy Hansen (Mission Specialist): The first Canadian and non-U.S. citizen to journey to the Moon