(VIDEO) Artemis II Launch: 4 Astronauts Blast Off on Historic Crewed Moon Mission

Four astronauts rocketed away from Earth aboard NASA's Space Launch System rocket Wednesday evening, embarking on Artemis II — the first crewed lunar mission in more than half a century — on a daring 10-day journey that will take them around the far side of the moon and farther from home than any humans have traveled before.

The massive orange-and-white SLS rocket lifted off from Launch Complex 39B at NASA's Kennedy Space Center at 6:35 p.m. EDT on April 1, 2026, lighting up the Florida sky as cheers erupted from thousands of spectators and NASA personnel gathered along the coast. The Orion spacecraft carrying the international crew soared into the evening sky on a pillar of fire, marking a triumphant return to human lunar exploration after the final Apollo mission in 1972.

Commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, mission specialist Christina Koch of NASA, and mission specialist Jeremy Hansen of the Canadian Space Agency are the crew of Artemis II. Their names were announced years ago, and each brings a unique blend of experience to this high-stakes test flight.

Wiseman, a veteran astronaut and former International Space Station commander, leads the mission. Glover, the first Black astronaut assigned to a lunar flight, previously flew on SpaceX's Crew-1 mission to the station. Koch holds the record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman and has conducted multiple spacewalks. Hansen, the first Canadian on a lunar mission, rounds out the diverse crew that symbolizes international cooperation in space.

The mission is no landing. Instead, the crew will fly a free-return trajectory that swings them several thousand miles beyond the moon before looping back to Earth. During the roughly 10-day voyage, they will venture farther from the planet than the Apollo 13 crew did in 1970, testing the Orion spacecraft's systems, life support, heat shield and communication links in deep space.

NASA officials described the launch as "picture perfect," with the rocket performing flawlessly through its initial ascent. The crew reported they were "safe, secure and in great spirits" shortly after reaching orbit. "This is for all of humanity," Wiseman said in a pre-launch message. "We're going to explore for you."

The launch came after years of development, multiple delays and rigorous testing of the SLS rocket and Orion capsule. Artemis II serves as a critical dress rehearsal for Artemis III, planned for 2028, which aims to land astronauts — including the first woman and first person of color — on the lunar surface near the south pole.

International partners celebrated the moment. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau hailed Hansen's participation as a proud milestone for his country. "Jeremy and the entire crew represent the best of us," he said.

The Artemis program seeks to establish a sustainable human presence on and around the moon, paving the way for eventual Mars missions. NASA has emphasized that Artemis is not just about returning to the moon but building the foundation for deeper space exploration with commercial and international partners.

Hundreds of thousands watched the launch in person or via live streams, with crowds lining highways and beaches near the space center. Social media exploded with images of the fiery liftoff and messages of excitement and pride. "We're going back!" became a trending phrase as the rocket climbed higher.

The crew will spend the coming days performing system checks, conducting Earth observations and preparing for the translunar injection burn that will send Orion toward the moon. Key milestones include testing the spacecraft's ability to communicate at lunar distances and verifying the performance of the European Service Module that provides propulsion and power.

Safety remains paramount. The mission builds on the uncrewed Artemis I flight in 2022, which successfully tested the SLS and Orion in a similar lunar flyby profile. Engineers have incorporated lessons from that test and addressed issues such as heat shield performance and propellant leaks that delayed earlier attempts.

Artemis II also highlights growing diversity in the astronaut corps. The inclusion of Glover and Koch underscores NASA's commitment to broader representation, while Hansen's role strengthens ties with the Canadian Space Agency, a key partner providing robotic technology for future lunar operations.

As the spacecraft orbits Earth before heading moonward, the crew will conduct media events and share views from space. Their journey will culminate in a high-speed reentry through Earth's atmosphere, testing Orion's heat shield under the most extreme conditions it will face.

The mission carries symbolic weight. It revives the spirit of Apollo while embracing a new era of exploration focused on sustainability, science and international collaboration. Scientific instruments aboard Orion will gather data on radiation environments, spacecraft performance and deep-space navigation.

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson called the launch "a giant leap forward for humanity's return to the moon." He praised the teams at Kennedy Space Center, Marshall Space Flight Center and across the agency for overcoming technical and budgetary challenges to reach this point.

Commercial partners including Boeing, Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin contributed critical elements to the SLS and Orion systems. The European Space Agency provided the service module, highlighting the global nature of the endeavor.

Weather cooperated for the launch window, with only a 20% chance of violation reported earlier in the day. Clear skies allowed for spectacular views of the ascending rocket.

For the astronauts, the flight represents the pinnacle of years of training. Each has spoken about the emotional weight of following in the footsteps of Apollo legends while blazing a trail for the next generation.

As Artemis II continues its voyage, attention will shift to real-time mission operations and preparation for the lunar flyby expected several days into the journey. The crew will pass behind the moon, losing contact with Earth for a period before re-emerging on the homeward leg.

Splashdown is targeted for the Pacific Ocean about 10 days after launch. Recovery teams are already positioned to retrieve the crew and capsule.

The successful liftoff boosts confidence ahead of more ambitious Artemis missions, including crewed lunar landings and eventual construction of a lunar Gateway station in orbit around the moon.

In the hours following launch, NASA reported all systems nominal and the crew comfortable. Ground teams continue monitoring the spacecraft as it completes initial orbits and prepares for the next phase of its historic journey.

This moment marks more than a technical achievement. It signals humanity's renewed commitment to pushing the boundaries of exploration, inspiring millions who watched the rocket climb into the night sky with dreams of worlds beyond our own.

As the four astronauts hurtle toward the moon, they carry the hopes of a new generation eager to see boot prints once again on another world — and perhaps one day on Mars.