NASA's Artemis II Crew Returns After Historic Moon Mission

Four astronauts are back on Earth after circling the Moon, bringing humanity closer to walking on the lunar surface again for the first time since 1972.

NASA's Artemis II mission launched from Kennedy Space Center in Florida on April 1, 2026, sending three NASA astronauts and one Canadian Space Agency crew member on a 10-day journey aboard the Orion spacecraft named Integrity. The Space Launch System rocket lifted off at 6:35 pm ET, carrying the crew beyond Earth's orbit to test critical systems needed for future Moon landings.

The mission tested how well spacecraft systems perform in deep space with humans aboard. The crew collected essential data that NASA will use to prepare for Artemis III, when astronauts will actually land on the Moon's surface.

Boeing manufactured the rocket's 212-foot core stage at NASA's facility in New Orleans, with components coming from suppliers across the country. The massive stage carried 733,000 gallons of fuel to power engines generating 2.2 million pounds of thrust.

"We're proud to help the United States regain the ability to put humans on the Moon," said Steve Parker, President and CEO of Boeing's Defense, Space & Security. The successful performance of the core stage gives engineers confidence for even more powerful rockets needed for future missions.

The Ripple Effect

This mission does more than prove our technology works. It sets the foundation for astronauts to live and work on the Moon for extended periods by the end of this decade.

NASA teams are already building core stages for Artemis III through V, with plans for lunar bases and the technology needed to eventually send humans to Mars. The collaboration between NASA, Boeing, and international partners like the Canadian Space Agency shows what's possible when countries work together on ambitious goals.

Future Artemis missions will establish a sustained human presence on the Moon, developing life support systems and exploration technologies that could one day support the journey to Mars. Each successful mission builds knowledge and confidence for the next giant leap.

The Moon is no longer just a destination we visited decades ago but a stepping stone to humanity's future among the stars.