Artemis II Is Almost Here. It’s a Big Deal!
- Science Outside
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Right now, right this very week, NASA’s Artemis II mission is preparing for liftoff, the first crewed mission to orbit the Moon since December 1972!
Photo Credit: Public Domain
Artemis II itself will orbit the Moon and return to Earth, but it will not include a surface landing.
NASA’s Artemis program plans to land humans on the Moon after Artemis II’s lunar flyby mission. The landing mission is Artemis III, which is currently targeted for around 2027 and will carry astronauts to the lunar surface near the Moon’s South Pole using a human landing system.
On January 17, 2026, NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, the giant booster that will carry humans beyond Earth’s orbit, and the Orion spacecraft were carefully rolled out to Launch Pad 39B at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Orion is the spacecraft that sits on top of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket. It is where the astronauts live and work during the mission. This milestone marks the beginning of final preparations before launch.
In the coming days, engineers will run a series of critical tests called a “wet dress rehearsal,” where they load and unload cryogenic propellants and practice countdown procedures. These steps help ensure the rocket and spacecraft are ready for its first flight with astronauts aboard.
The earliest realistic launch window being discussed is early February 2026 (for example around Feb. 6), depending on the results of final tests and system checkouts.
What Makes Artemis II Special?
Unlike many past space missions that focused on satellites or robotic probes, Artemis II will carry four astronauts around the Moon and back on a roughly 10-day journey. This is the first time humans have ventured that far since Apollo 17 in 1972.
Here’s what to know:
First crewed Artemis flight: Artemis II is the first time humans will fly on NASA’s new SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft together.
Lunar flyby mission: The spacecraft won’t land on the Moon this time, instead, it will follow a “free-return trajectory,” flying around the Moon and using its gravity to slingshot back toward Earth.
Greatest distance in decades: This mission will take astronauts farther from Earth than any humans have been in more than 50 years.
Important test flight: The crew will test life support, navigation, communication systems, and other hardware in the deep-space environment, setting the stage for future lunar landings and even Mars missions.
A Legacy of Lunar Exploration
To put this in historical context, our last human-to-Moon missions were the Apollo flights between 1968 and 1972. Those missions captured the world’s imagination, especially Apollo 11’s first Moon landing, and they transformed how we think about Earth and space. Artemis II isn’t just another mission: it’s a bridge between the achievements of the past and the future of space exploration.
Not only are we once again traveling to the Moon, not just to orbit it, but we have the intention to land on it in 2027. The Artemis program also has long-term goals that include establishing a sustained human presence on the Moon, a lunar research settlement. The cool factor is off the charts!
Why Everyone Should be Excited!
Trips to space aren’t just about rockets and astronauts. They are about technology, teamwork, curiosity, and human potential. Artemis II is a reminder that:
STEM fields are alive and happening right now, not just in textbooks.
International cooperation, like including Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen among the crew, is a hallmark of modern space exploration.
Big challenges need big thinking, and our students could be the ones solving the next generation of questions about life beyond Earth.
As Artemis II moves toward liftoff, let’s share the excitement with our students and encourage them to dream big. Godspeed to Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, Mission Specialist Christina Koch, and Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen! We wish them safe travels, clear skies, and successful tests as they journey around the Moon. May their mission inspire students everywhere to reach for the stars!
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