NASA’s Artemis II Moon Mission: How to See and What to Know

Are you ready for a bona fide moon shot? The future Artemis II mission was one of the most exciting space excursions in recent memory. This is the first time that people have flown on the moon since December 1972, when the landmark Apollo program packed, and NASA is beginning to shift focus leading to space shuttles staying closer to home in Earth orbit.

Artemis II is NASA’s chance to gather valuable new data from a spaceflight of this magnitude and to continue testing the new Space Launch System rocket and the Orion spacecraft that will carry astronauts. The 10-day mission will be a flyby for four people — an actual moon landing is planned for the Artemis III follow-up mission — but there will be plenty of drama nonetheless.

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the launch is set because no earlier than February 8 and no later than February 13. NASA has the rocket in place and is rigorous testing this is to make sure it is ready to travel. Orion is in it final stages of preparationand except for a few final tests, everything is ready. The mission was flown by commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, and mission specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen. Wiseman, Glover and Koch are Americans. Hansen is from Canada and was the first from his country to travel to the moon.

While we don’t know the exact launch date yet, we do know what will happen. After liftoff, the Orion spacecraft will maneuver into orbit, head toward the moon, slingshot around it, and return home as Earth’s gravity pulls it back. This launch is now more than eight years in the making, and the big moment is just around the corner.

Orion's heat shield after the Artemis I mission — The Orion spacecraft needed some heat shield improvements, due to damage sustained during Artemis I.

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Artemis II was launched in February

On the launch date, Artemis II will move from Launch Complex 39B at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Space Launch System, NASA’s super heavy-lift rocket and the primary launch vehicle for the Artemis program, will produce more than 8.8 million pounds of thrust to launch Orion and the crew into space.

In the first minutes, the spacecraft will shed components such as rocket boosters and hardware used for the launch phase.

An infographic showing the Artemis II flight path — Artemis II’s flight path is a large loop around the moon. Artemis I took a similar route.

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How to stream the launch

the earliest possible launch date (PDF) of Artemis II is February 8, and the launch window lasts until February 13. If Artemis II misses this launch window, the next ones will be March 6-11, April 1-6 and April 30. The time of day varies, but NASA is targeting an evening liftoff, so be prepared to watch either or after dinner.

NASA is streaming the launch on its usual platforms. Among these are YouTube channelits free on-demand streaming app NASAPlusand agency social media pages on Facebook and X. It should also be livestreamed on Twitchand with fellowship NASA signs with Netflix in 2025, it will probably also be livestreamed on Netflix.

Which happens first

Approximately eight minutes after launch, the spacecraft will separate from the lower stage, leaving only the Orion capsule and the upper stage rocket, while the expendable lower stage splashes into the Atlantic Ocean and sinks below.

In the next few hours, the spacecraft will reach its orbit around the Earth, in an orbital pattern that will make it easier for the astronauts to return home if something happens. (The Artemis I the mission flew successfully in 2022, but was not crewed.) It will remain there until the second day of the mission.

Days 1-2: Test systems

Once in high orbit, the crew engages manual controls and begins testing onboard systems, including life support and communications. When all is deemed OK, the rocket’s upper stage will perform what’s called a translunar injection burn before separating, sending Orion hurtling toward the moon.

Day 3-5: Travel time

The crew had a few days of travel time to reach the moon, a distance of more than 225,000 miles. (This is roughly the same length of time as driving nonstop from New York City to Los Angeles, a trip of less than 3,000 miles.) By comparison, the International Space Station is only about 250 miles from Earth. During this time, the crew will be busy performing tests, practicing procedures, and testing mission technology.

Day 6: The dark side of the moon

The Artemis II crew reached lunar orbit on Day 6, flying around the far side of the moon and preparing for their return journey. It’s a rare human view of the dark side of the moon, and, depending on which day the mission is launched, the Artemis II crew could also break the record for the longest trip by humans away from Earth when they hit the farthest point of their loop around the moon. That record — 248,655 miles — was set during the Apollo 13 mission.

The crew is expected to lose communication with Earth during this time. They will take a photo of the far side of the moon before restoring communication and returning home.

Days 7-9: Go home

Orion will drift around the moon and begin its homeward journey under the influence of the Earth’s and the moon’s gravity.

Day 10: Splashdown

The final day of the mission will see Orion and its crew return to Earth. Orion enters orbit at high speed, producing heat of up to 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit. This will fully test the improvements NASA has made to Orion’s heat shields. Once atmospheric re-entry is complete, the crew will deploy Orion’s parachutes and drop into the Pacific Ocean. The US Navy would pick them up about two hours later.