Artemis II

Artemis II is NASA’s first crewed Artemis mission, planned to carry four astronauts aboard Orion on a lunar flyby before returning to Earth.

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Orion spacecraft: Orion is NASA’s crew spacecraft designed to carry astronauts beyond low Earth orbit and return them to Earth. Artemis II’s crew will travel in Orion, testing its life-support and deep-space systems.
Reid Wiseman: Reid Wiseman is a NASA astronaut selected to command Artemis II. As commander, he leads the crew and mission operations.
Artemis program: The Artemis program is NASA’s campaign to return humans to the Moon and establish a sustained presence there. Artemis II is an early crewed flight in this broader lunar campaign.
Artemis III: Artemis III is a planned NASA mission intended to return astronauts to the lunar surface. Artemis II’s crewed flight data will inform the later landing mission.
Space Launch System: The Space Launch System is NASA’s heavy-lift rocket built to send Orion and its crew toward the Moon. It provides the launch power for Artemis II’s crewed lunar trajectory.
Victor Glover: Victor Glover is a NASA astronaut selected as pilot of Artemis II. His piloting role supports Orion’s flight and spacecraft operations.
Human spaceflight: Human spaceflight is the use of spacecraft to carry people beyond Earth’s atmosphere. Artemis II extends human spaceflight beyond low Earth orbit.
Lunar Gateway: The Lunar Gateway is a planned space station in lunar orbit intended to support exploration of the Moon and beyond. Artemis II helps validate crewed deep-space operations relevant to future Gateway missions.
Free-return trajectory: A free-return trajectory uses gravitational motion to bring a spacecraft back toward its starting body without a major return maneuver. Artemis II’s lunar flyby is designed to return the spacecraft toward Earth even if propulsion is limited.
Christina Koch: Christina Koch is a NASA astronaut selected as a mission specialist for Artemis II. Her assignment places her among the first crew to test Orion around the Moon.