NASA Artemis II Rocket Launch highlights: Astronauts carry out moon mission’s first objective

On flight day 10 of Artemis II, the crew aboard the Orion spacecraft prepares for reentry with a final trajectory correction burn before separating from the service module.

The capsule then reenters Earth’s atmosphere under extreme heat, deploys parachutes to slow its descent, and safely splashes down in the Pacific Ocean, marking the end of the mission.

On flight day 8 of Artemis II, the crew aboard the Orion spacecraft conducts radiation protection tests by building a shelter and studying exposure levels in deep space.

They also perform manual piloting demonstrations, testing Orion’s maneuverability and comparing different attitude control modes.

On flight day 6 of Artemis II, the crew aboard the Orion spacecraft makes its closest approach to the Moon, traveling 4,000–6,000 miles above the surface and potentially setting a new record for the farthest distance humans have ever traveled from Earth — surpassing Apollo 13.

Astronauts spend the day capturing images and observations of the lunar surface, documenting geological features under varying sunlight conditions, while briefly losing communication with Earth as they pass behind the Moon.

On flight day 4 of Artemis II, the crew conducts a second outbound trajectory correction burn to further refine the path of the Orion spacecraft toward the Moon.

Astronauts also spend time preparing for lunar observations by reviewing specific surface targets they will image during the flyby, along with a dedicated window to capture photos of Earth, the Moon, and other celestial objects.

On Artemis II, astronauts Reid Wiseman and Victor Glover begin their day by testing Orion’s exercise equipment, while Christina Koch prepares for the mission’s key translunar injection (TLI) burn that will send the Orion spacecraft toward the Moon on a free-return trajectory.

After the burn, the crew transitions to lighter activities, including adapting to space conditions and taking part in space-to-ground communications, marking a shift into the next phase of their journey.

The Artemis II has completed another milestone as the Orion spacecraft’s solar array wings have fully deployed, with all four panels successfully unfolding and beginning to generate power.

Extending to a wingspan of about 63 feet, the arrays — mounted on the European Service Module — will provide continuous electricity for life support, communications, and onboard systems throughout the journey, using thousands of solar cells that track the Sun for maximum efficiency.

Up next, the mission will carry out key orbital manoeuvres to raise Orion’s trajectory, followed by preparations for a proximity operations demonstration to test manual spacecraft control.

Artemis II has successfully lifted off from Kennedy Space Center, with the Space Launch System and Orion spacecraft carrying astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen on a landmark journey around the Moon.

The twin solid rocket boosters and four RS-25 engines combined to generate 8.8 million pounds of thrust, powering the 5.75-million-pound rocket off the pad as umbilicals detached, marking the transition to fully autonomous flight.

This roughly 10-day mission is the first crewed flight of NASA’s Artemis programme, aimed at testing systems for future lunar exploration and paving the way for eventual human missions to Mars.

As Artemis II enters its final moments, NASA’s Ground Launch Sequencer takes control through a precise series of automated steps — from retracting the crew access arm and arming safety systems to igniting the Space Launch System engines — culminating in booster ignition and liftoff at T-0.

See the list below of the terminal count milestones: 

T-10 minutes and counting 

NASA to resume the countdown for Artemis II after a planned hold at T-10 minutes, with the launch director officially giving the “go” to proceed toward liftoff.

With final checks completed and systems cleared, the countdown is now back on track for launch from Kennedy Space Center.

NASA’s Artemis II has entered its final countdown phase as the closeout crew completed all prelaunch tasks and departed Launch Complex 39B at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, leaving the Orion spacecraft sealed and flight-ready.

With the spacecraft fully configured, control has now shifted to launch teams, marking a key milestone toward liftoff after hours of detailed checks and preparations. Engineers also reviewed a temperature reading on the launch abort system battery. NASA states that the sensor-related issue will not impact the launch.

Adding to the positive outlook, weather conditions have improved further, now standing at a 90% “go” for launch.

NASA has reported a temperature issue with the launch abort system battery on Artemis II, with readings currently outside the acceptable range — a concern that engineers must assess before proceeding with liftoff.

The launch abort system (LAS) battery is a critical component of the Orion spacecraft’s safety architecture, providing the electrical power needed to activate the abort system in an emergency. If something goes wrong during launch, the LAS would rapidly fire powerful motors to pull the crew capsule away from the rocket, carrying astronauts to a safe distance before parachute-assisted descent.

The battery ensures that this system can respond instantly and independently, even if other onboard power systems fail. Maintaining it within a strict temperature range is essential, as extreme conditions could affect its performance or reliability during a high-stress abort scenario.

With less than an hour to go before the launch window opens, Artemis II is entering its final phase of countdown toward liftoff. Engineers have successfully resolved the earlier communication issue with the flight termination system and completed a confidence test, ensuring the critical safety mechanism is fully operational.

At the same time, the Orion spacecraft has been sealed in its final configuration, with the launch abort system hatch securely closed and verified for pressure integrity and alignment.

Without confirming the system’s reliability, the launch would be a no-go, but Nasa states that their engineers have now developed a potential workaround and are preparing to test it.

Despite the ongoing issue with the flight termination system, NASA teams continue the final countdown steps for Artemis II, including closing the hatch on the Orion spacecraft.

The closeout crew will be the last people seen by astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen before their 10-day journey around the Moon.

Here is everything that the crew, Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen, will eat during their 10-day mission across moon.

Artemis II will bridge a 54-year gap since humans last ventured beyond Earth orbit during Apollo 17, marking a major return to deep space exploration.

Only 24 people, all Americans, have ever travelled to the Moon under the Apollo program between 1969 and 1972, with 12 walking on its surface, while Apollo 13 was forced to abort after a critical failure.

Apollo 11(Image: Nasa)

Among the surviving moonwalkers are Buzz Aldrin, who flew with Neil Armstrong, along with David Scott, Charles Duke, and Harrison Schmitt.

The Apollo era ended early after Richard Nixon cancelled later missions due to declining public interest and budget constraints.

The current record for the farthest human spaceflight — about 248,000 miles — is held by the crew of Apollo 13, which was forced to abort its Moon landing after an onboard explosion.

Humans have not traveled beyond Earth’s orbit since the final Apollo program mission in 1972, while NASA’s uncrewed Artemis I successfully tested the Orion spacecraft on a similar journey around the Moon and back.

This stuffed toy looking is a Zero gravity indicator that gives astronauts a visual aid to indicate when the enter zero gravity. This was designed by 8-year old

(Image: NASA)

Flight Day 6
During its closest approach, the Artemis II crew flies the Orion spacecraft within 4,000–6,000 miles of the Moon, spending hours capturing images and scientific observations while reaching one of the farthest distances ever traveled by humans from Earth.

Flight Day 7
As Orion exits lunar space, astronauts transmit mission data back to Earth, conduct a historic call with the International Space Station crew, and perform a trajectory correction burn before resting.

Flight Day 8
The crew practices radiation shielding techniques and tests Orion’s maneuverability through attitude control exercises during their return journey.

Flight Day 9
Astronauts prepare for reentry by conducting final system checks, testing equipment, performing a small course correction, and securing the spacecraft for landing.

Flight Day 10
The mission concludes as Orion performs reentry into Earth’s atmosphere, deploys parachutes, and splashes down in the Pacific Ocean for recovery, marking the end of the lunar journey.

Launch Day Day 1
The Artemis II crew launches aboard the Space Launch System, performs early orbit maneuvers and proximity operations with the Orion spacecraft, and wraps up with system checks and their first rest period.

Flight Day 2
Astronauts test exercise equipment and execute the critical translunar injection burn that sends Orion on its trajectory around the Moon.

Flight Day 3
The crew rehearses lunar flyby operations, conducts safety drills, and performs a trajectory correction burn while en route to the Moon.

Flight Day 4
Astronauts handle routine operations, review lunar imaging targets, and capture photos of Earth and the Moon from deep space.

Flight Day 5
The mission enters lunar space as the crew tests spacesuits for emergencies and completes another correction burn ahead of the Moon flyby.

NASA’s Artemis II countdown is advancing with key safety and preparation milestones at Kennedy Space Center. Pad rescue and closeout teams are in position at Launch Complex 39B to handle emergencies, secure the Orion spacecraft, and ensure the launch area is ready for liftoff.

Meanwhile, astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen are suiting up in advanced Orion Crew Survival System suits, which NASA states are designed for improved safety, mobility, and comfort.

At the same time, the Space Launch System has entered “replenish mode,” maintaining super-cold propellant levels across all stages as the countdown moves through a planned hold for final system checks.

As part of the Artemis II launch countdown, NASA teams are rapidly filling the interim cryogenic propulsion stage with liquid oxygen (LOX). In order to prepare the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket upper stage for its role in launching the Orion spacecraft into a high Earth orbit prior to a proximity operations demonstration test and Orion's translunar injection burn, this phase quickly loads the oxidiser after chilldown is finished.

The astronauts aboard the Artemis II mission are not going to make a moon landing. The four crew members will perform a low flyover above the moon's orbit and check all systems in space in preparation for a future landing, which is not planned for another two years.

Since they will be the first humans to travel to deep space in more than 50 years, the Artemis II crew will still make history. Additionally, NASA is sending the first non-American, the first woman, and the first person of colour on a lunar orbit.

The Artemis II mission by NASA is scheduled for launch on April 1 from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, marking the first crewed journey to the Moon since the Apollo era. The launch window opens at 6:24 PM EDT(3:24 IST on 2nd April 2026).

Backup opportunities are available daily until April 6 in case of delays. Live coverage begins at 12:50 PM EDT on NASA+ and NASA TV, with additional streaming on YouTube, showcasing the launch preparations, milestones, and the Orion spacecraft.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tf_UjBMIzNo