NASA Returns to the Moon After 52 Years with Artemis II

After 52 years of waiting, humanity is returning to the moon with a crew that reflects our progress as a civilization.

NASA's Artemis II mission launches April 1 at 6:24 p.m. ET, carrying four astronauts on a journey that will break barriers and records. Commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, and mission specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen will become the first humans to see the moon up close since the Apollo 17 crew in 1972.

The mission is already making history before it even leaves Earth. Glover will be the first Black person to travel to the moon, Koch will be the first woman, and Hansen will be the first non-U.S. citizen to make the journey.

Weather conditions look excellent, with an 80% favorable forecast. Launch director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson told reporters that all signs point to a smooth departure.

The 10-day journey will push the boundaries of human space exploration. After testing systems in Earth orbit for 24 hours, the crew will fire Orion's main engine to slingshot around the moon for a three-hour flyby.

During that lunar pass, they could become the first humans ever to see the far side of the moon with their own eyes. Lead flight director Emily Nelson confirmed the crew will travel 252,799 miles from Earth, breaking the distance record set by Apollo 13 astronauts in 1970.

The Ripple Effect

This mission opens the door for Artemis III, which plans to land astronauts on the lunar surface. The technology tested during this flight will pave the way for sustainable moon exploration and eventually missions to Mars.

The diverse crew sends a powerful message to aspiring astronauts worldwide. Every child watching this launch can see someone like themselves reaching for the stars.

After a half-century away, we're not just returning to the moon—we're bringing everyone with us.