Artemis II is the first crewed spaceflight in NASA’s Artemis Program — a long-term campaign that aims to send humans back to the moon for the first time since 1972.
Launched into orbit by the 322-foot-tall (98 meters) Space Launch System and Orion crew capsule stack, the mission's four-astronaut crew took a 10-day flight around the moon and back to Earth, testing key systems and studying the impact of spaceflight on human biology. The record-setting flight sent humans farther into space than ever before.
Following a major overhaul of the Artemis program in late February, NASA now aims to ramp its Artemis missions up to an annual tempo, with Artemis III — an Earth-orbit test of a lunar lander docking — falling in 2027. If successful, NASA will follow up with the Artemis IV and V missions, two crewed lunar landing attempts, in 2028.
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Can the US be trusted with the moon? A law scholar raises concerns after Artemis II's success.The Artemis II moon mission was a great success. But America's longterm ambitions in space may deserve some scrutiny, a law scholar argues, given the nation's recent conduct on Earth.
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Artemis II quiz: Is your knowledge of NASA's historic moon mission out of this world?QUIZ The slingshot around the moon has catapulted the Artemis II mission to legendary status. How much do you know about this iconic mission?
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There were 'audible screams of delight': Why Artemis II sightings of meteor flashes on the moon have scientists giddyMeteorite strikes spotted on the moon by the Artemis II crew will help scientists assess dangers to future moon bases, infrastructure, and astronauts.
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'I have not processed what we just did': Artemis II astronauts share all in first news conference since splashdownThe Artemis II crew have spoken publicly for the first time since their return to Earth.
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'Human minds shouldn't have to go through' this: Artemis II crew recalls unreal moment when Earth disappeared — Space photo of the weekA stunning Earthset image from Artemis II recalls Apollo 8's Earthrise, marking humanity's return to deep space and the start of a new era of exploration.
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10 Artemis II photos that define humanity's return to the moon
From spectacular views of Earth to a unique total solar eclipse, Artemis II's most breathtaking images tell the story of humanity's return to deep space after more than 50 years.
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'I'm at a loss for words': Artemis II mission comes home to joy and cheers after historic 10-day missionNASA's 10-day moon mission has officially ended with a "bullseye landing"
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'Welcome home, Integrity': Artemis II crew return to Earth after 'bullseye landing' caps historic moon missionLive Blog The Artemis II crew have safely landed in the Pacific Ocean after a historic flight around the moon. Take a look back at our live blog's launch coverage from the hours and seconds until splashdown.
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There are 'reasons to be confident' about faulty Artemis II heat shield ahead of 25,000 mph reentry, space expert Ed Macaulay saysNASA's Artemis II heat shield is about to face its ultimate test as the Orion crew prepares for reentry. Physics and data science lecturer Ed Macaulay tells Live Science reasons to be confident ahead of today's historic splashdown.
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