What is Artemis II?
Artemis II is NASA's first crewed mission of the Artemis program, sending four astronauts on a lunar flyby aboard Orion.
FAQ
Answers to the Artemis II questions people actually search for.
This page is tuned for long-tail mission intent: what Artemis II is, how it differs from Artemis I, who is flying, and how to follow the mission live.
When did Artemis II launch?
This tracker is configured around the approved mission window beginning on April 1, 2026, with mission timing and countdown labels anchored to that schedule.
Who are the Artemis II crew members?
The crew is Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen.
How long is the Artemis II mission?
Artemis II is planned as an approximately 10-day mission from launch through splashdown.
Will Artemis II land on the Moon?
No. Artemis II is a crewed lunar flyby mission that validates systems before later lunar landing missions.
How can I watch Artemis II live?
NASA typically provides mission coverage through NASA TV and official web streams, with live updates also mirrored across mission tracking sites and social platforms.
What spacecraft is used for Artemis II?
The mission uses the Orion spacecraft launched by the Space Launch System, with the Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage guiding Orion toward the Moon.
How fast is the Orion spacecraft?
Velocity changes across each mission phase, especially during translunar injection and re-entry, with the tracker page summarizing representative mission telemetry.
What is the difference between Artemis I and Artemis II?
Artemis I was an uncrewed test flight, while Artemis II adds four astronauts to validate life support, crew operations, and deep-space flight procedures.
What comes after Artemis II?
Artemis III is planned to return astronauts to the lunar surface, followed by later missions that expand sustained lunar exploration.
Why is Artemis II important?
It is NASA's first crewed lunar mission since Apollo, serving as the operational bridge between test flights and future lunar landings.
How close will Orion get to the Moon?
Mission profiles describe a close lunar flyby designed to test navigation and deep-space operations without entering lunar orbit.
Which agencies are represented on Artemis II?
The crew includes astronauts from NASA and the Canadian Space Agency, reflecting Artemis' international partnership model.
Does the tracker use a live API?
The v1 tracker uses an embedded 3D experience and mission-context telemetry rather than a custom live data API.
Can I use this site on mobile?
Yes. The site is designed with responsive layouts so the live tracker, crew bios, and FAQ remain usable on phones and tablets.