On April 1, 2026, a rocket carrying four astronauts is set to launch into space. This mission will be the first crewed trip to the moon for the United States since the Apollo program's last mission in 1972.
The mission is expected to last 10 days. Astronauts will depart from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida and orbit the moon.
What is NASA's Artemis Program?
NASA's Artemis Program aims to land American astronauts on the moon and keep the U.S. at the forefront of space exploration. The program started in 2022 with Artemis I, an uncrewed test flight. This mission checked the Space Launch System rocket and the Orion capsule, which is designed to carry astronauts.
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Start Your News DetoxArtemis I launched on November 16, 2022. The rocket traveled 1.4 million miles over 25.5 days. It also journeyed about 270,000 miles from Earth, which is the furthest a human-rated spacecraft has ever gone.
The program's main goal is to create regular travel between Earth and the moon. It also plans to build permanent outposts on the moon for further study and exploration. Eventually, Artemis aims to land humans on Mars.
What is Artemis II, and When Will It Launch?
Artemis II is scheduled to launch in the first six days of April 2026, possibly as early as April 1. The launch was delayed from February due to a helium leak and other issues. Four astronauts will be on board: Commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, and mission specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen. Koch will be the first woman to fly to the moon.
The craft was originally set to launch in 2016 but took longer and cost more than expected. The Space Launch System Rocket and Orion spacecraft have reportedly cost about $44 billion.
During the mission, astronauts will loop around the moon but will not land. They will return to Earth after 10 days. The mission will test Orion's communication, navigation, and life-support systems. The ship is built to handle high radiation and includes a launch abort system and a toilet.
What Future Artemis Missions Are Planned?
NASA has five Artemis missions planned, though details have changed over time. Artemis III, planned for 2027, was initially meant to land astronauts on the moon. Now, it will orbit Earth to test new technologies.
Artemis IV, scheduled for 2028, will mark the first time U.S. astronauts land on the moon since 1972. Two crew members will land and spend about a week exploring the moon's South Pole. Artemis V will be the first of many regular U.S. missions to the moon.
In March 2026, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman announced plans to spend $20 billion over the next seven years to build a moon base. He also said the program will shift from government-owned rockets to private machinery from companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin.
Isaacman mentioned a 2028 mission called "Skyfall." This mission would use a fission reactor to power three unmanned helicopters into Martian airspace. The goal is to find future landing spots for astronauts. The program also plans to install nuclear power systems on the moon and Mars to warm astronauts and power equipment.
Why Is the Artemis Program Controversial?
The Artemis Program's cost, estimated at over $93 billion by a 2021 audit, has caused controversy. Some question the need for more space exploration. The plan to mine moon resources also raises questions about who owns space.
The 2020 Artemis Accords, signed by 61 countries by January 2026, tried to create a framework for nations to use space infrastructure. However, some countries, like Russia, say the accords are too "U.S.-centric." Critics have also questioned the safety, reliability, and feasibility of some Artemis technology.
Supporters of Artemis point to the potential economic benefits of moon mining. Others note that the mission is important for the U.S. in its competition with China's space program. Isaacman stressed this in his March 2026 speech.
He said that if the U.S. fails and rivals achieve their lunar goals first, "we are not going to celebrate our adherence to excess requirements, policy or bureaucratic process." He added that the public has invested over $100 billion and has been patient, so expectations are "rightfully very high."
