Artemis II: NASA's Crewed Moon Mission Set for Launch | Live Coverage Details
NASA's Artemis II, a crewed lunar test flight, is slated for launch.
Top Summary
- What happened: NASA's Artemis II mission, the first crewed mission under the Artemis program, is preparing for launch, sending astronauts around the Moon.
- Why it matters: This mission tests the Orion spacecraft's life support systems with humans, paving the way for future crewed lunar expeditions and missions to Mars.
- What changes: Live coverage of prelaunch, launch, and mission events will be available on NASA+, YouTube, and Amazon Prime.
- Who is affected: NASA, the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), astronauts, the global scientific community, and space enthusiasts.
Artemis II Launch Details
NASA is gearing up for the Artemis II mission, a crewed test flight around the Moon. The launch is targeted for no earlier than 6:24 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, April 1st, with launch opportunities extending through Monday, April 6th.
This mission marks a significant milestone as NASA's first crewed mission under the Artemis program, launching from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
The Artemis II Crew
The mission will carry NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and CSA astronaut Jeremy Hansen on an approximate 10-day journey around the Moon.
Launching on NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, the mission aims to rigorously test the Orion spacecraft's life support capabilities with a human crew.
How to Watch Live Coverage
You can catch the action live on NASA's YouTube channel, NASA+, and Amazon Prime. Each event will have its own dedicated stream closer to the start time. Find more details on how to watch NASA content on various online platforms.
"NASA's real-time coverage will continue throughout the mission on YouTube."
Media Accreditation & Briefings
The deadline for media accreditation for in-person coverage has already passed. For any inquiries regarding media accreditation, please contact the appropriate NASA center via email. For Kennedy, email ksc-media-accreditat@mail.nasa.gov; for Johnson, email jsccommu@mail.nasa.gov.
A limited number of seats inside the Kennedy auditorium will be available during prelaunch briefings to previously credentialed journalists on a first-come, first-served basis.
Media wishing to participate by telephone must RSVP no later than two hours before each briefing. Contact ksc-newsroom@mail.nasa.gov for briefings from Kennedy and jsccommu@mail.nasa.gov for briefings from Johnson (starting April 2).
Key Mission Events
Here are some key dates and times (all Eastern Time) to keep in mind:
- March 27, 2:15 p.m.: Artemis II crew arrival at Kennedy Space Center.
- March 29, 11:30 a.m.: Virtual Q&A with the Artemis II crew.
- April 1, 7:45 a.m.: Coverage of tanking operations begins.
- April 1, 12:50 p.m.: NASA+ launch coverage begins.
Post-Launch Activities & Mission Status
Real-time mission coverage continues on YouTube. A separate live stream from the Orion spacecraft will also be available, bandwidth permitting. Daily mission status briefings from NASA Johnson begin on April 2 (except for April 6). Times are subject to change.
The crew will participate in live conversations (downlinks) throughout the mission. NASA will announce specific times on the Artemis blog.
Lunar Flyby & Beyond
If launched on April 1, the crew is expected to surpass the record for human's farthest distance from Earth, previously set by Apollo 13. NASA+ coverage of the lunar flyby begins on April 6 at 12:45 p.m. EDT.
"As part of Golden Age of innovation and exploration, NASA will send Artemis astronauts on increasingly difficult missions to explore more of the Moon for scientific discovery, economic benefits, and to build on our foundation for the first crewed missions to Mars."
Track the Mission Online
Stay up-to-date with the mission through these channels:
- Artemis blog: NASA website
- Artemis II Multimedia: NASA website
- Track Orion in space: nasa.gov/trackartemis
What to Watch Next
Following the Artemis II mission, NASA will analyze the data collected from the Orion spacecraft's performance and life support systems. This information will be crucial for planning future Artemis missions, ultimately aiming to establish a sustainable human presence on the Moon and prepare for crewed missions to Mars.