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Artemis II Targets Moon Flyby in Early April

NASA will launch a 10-day crewed lunar flyby from Kennedy Space Center to test the SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft, with four astronauts aboard and launch windows April 1 to 6 and April 30.

Mar 29th 2026 · United States

Insights

  • Launch windows are April 1 to 6 and April 30 with an evening liftoff targeted from Launch Complex 39B in Florida.
  • Crew of four includes commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, mission specialist Christina Koch, and Canadian Jeremy Hansen, who will be the first Canadian to travel to the moon.
  • The 10-day mission is a crewed lunar flyby to test the Space Launch System rocket and the Orion spacecraft, including life support, communications, and heat shield improvements.
  • Flight profile includes Earth orbit checkout, a translunar injection burn, a far side lunar flyby with an expected communications blackout, and a return trajectory culminating in a Pacific Ocean splashdown.
  • Data and test results from Artemis II will inform Artemis III and Artemis IV planning, with a crewed lunar landing targeted in the Artemis sequence.

Sources