Question 1

When did Artemis II launch?

Accepted Answer

Artemis II launched on April 1, 2026, at 6:24 PM EDT (22:24 UTC) from Launch Complex 39B at Kennedy Space Center, Florida. The flight was a complete success, with splashdown roughly 10 days later.

Question 2

Where can I read the Artemis II live blog archive?

Accepted Answer

This page (spacenexus.us/live/artemis-ii-blog) preserves our full real-time coverage from launch to splashdown. For the next Artemis mission, see Mission Control (spacenexus.us/mission-control) and the Ignition Tracker (spacenexus.us/ignition) for milestone updates.

Question 3

How long was the Artemis II mission?

Accepted Answer

The Artemis II mission lasted approximately 10 days. The crew launched aboard the Orion spacecraft atop the Space Launch System (SLS), flew around the Moon without entering orbit, and returned to Earth with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.

Question 4

Who was on the Artemis II crew?

Accepted Answer

The Artemis II crew consisted of four astronauts: Commander Reid Wiseman (NASA), Pilot Victor Glover (NASA), Mission Specialist Christina Koch (NASA), and Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen (CSA, Canadian Space Agency). This was the first crewed flight beyond low Earth orbit since Apollo 17 in 1972.

Question 5

What rocket was used for Artemis II?

Accepted Answer

Artemis II used NASA's Space Launch System (SLS), the most powerful rocket ever built, paired with the Orion crew capsule. The SLS Block 1 configuration produces 8.8 million pounds of thrust at liftoff and sent the Orion spacecraft and its crew on a trajectory around the Moon.

Question 6

What is the next Artemis mission after Artemis II?

Accepted Answer

Artemis III is next, planned for 2027 (NASA target: mid-2027). NASA restructured it in February 2026 from a lunar landing into an Earth-orbit test of rendezvous and docking between Orion and lander pathfinders from Blue Origin (Blue Moon Mark 2) and SpaceX (Starship HLS). The first crewed lunar landing since Apollo 17 has shifted to Artemis IV, targeted for 2028; NASA will choose its lander based on readiness. The Artemis III crew was announced June 9, 2026.

Artemis II Live Blog Archive: Real-Time Launch Coverage

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Artemis II Live Blog Archive: Real-Time Launch Coverage

More Artemis II Coverage