Artemis ii blazes trail to lunar orbit with historic nasa mission

NASA's Artemis II spacecraft blasted off from Kennedy Space Center on Friday, April 3, 2026, embarking on a historic mission to lunar orbit.

First-ever crewed lunar circumnavigation

With a rumble of engines, the towering 322-foot rocket pierced the morning sky, piercing the atmosphere at 17,500 mph. The crew of four astronauts, led by Commander Reid Wiseman, settled into their capsules for the 4.5-day journey.

As Orion entered Earth's orbit, Wiseman snapped a stunning selfie with the blue planet hanging in the blackness. The crew then activated a series of remote cameras, capturing breathtaking images of the Earth from lunar orbit.

Apollo-era firsts achieved

Artemis II marked the first time humans have orbited the Moon since the Apollo era. The mission also tested critical systems for the Artemis III lunar landing, slated for 2029.