Artemis II will send four astronauts on a historic ten-day lunar flyby mission.

NASA's upcoming Artemis II mission marks the first time in over five decades that humans will travel to the Moon. This animation details the mission's trajectory, from launch to splashdown, highlighting the critical systems being tested to enable future lunar landings and eventual human exploration of Mars.

Scheduled for early 2026, Artemis II serves as the inaugural crewed test flight for the Space Launch System rocket and the Orion spacecraft. The mission will carry four astronauts on a ten-day journey around the Moon, utilizing Exploration Ground Systems at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Beyond the immediate goal of a lunar flyby, the mission acts as a foundational step for the Artemis III lunar landing and long-term objectives for Mars exploration. Orion is designed specifically to sustain crews during deep space travel and ensure their safe return to Earth.

Source: Artemis II to the Moon: Launch to Splashdown (NASA Mission Animation)