See the moment Artemis II lifts off for historic moon mission
April 1, 2026Updated April 2, 2026, 9:03 a.m. ET

Artemis II and it’s crew of four lifted off from Kennedy Space Center April 1, 2026 on a 10-day mission around the Moon and back. Here's a look at historic launch.
Artemis II Space Launch System rocket carrying the Orion spacecraft lifts off from Launch Complex 39B at Kennedy Space Center on April 1, 2026 in Cape Canaveral, Florida.
Craig Bailey, FLORIDA TODAYArtemis II Space Launch System rocket carrying the Orion spacecraft lifts off from Launch Complex 39B at Kennedy Space Center on April 1, 2026 in Cape Canaveral, Florida.

The solid rocket boosters (SRBs) detach after NASA's Artemis II Space Launch System rocket lifts off.
The 10-day mission will take NASA astronauts Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover and Mission Specialist Christina Koch and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen around the moon and back. The astronauts are supposed to fly 230,000 miles out into space, the farthest any human has ever traveled from Earth.
Chip Somodevilla, Getty ImagesThe 10-day mission will take NASA astronauts Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover and Mission Specialist Christina Koch and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen around the moon and back. The astronauts are supposed to fly 230,000 miles out into space, the farthest any human has ever traveled from Earth.

The Artemis II crewed lunar mission launches at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on April 1, 2026. Four astronauts blasted off aboard a massive NASA rocket April 1 on a long-anticipated journey around the Moon, the first crewed lunar flyby in more than 50 years.
JIM WATSON, AFP Via Getty Images
The Artemis II mission launches April 1 from the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The four-person crew aboard the Orion spacecraft hitched a ride to orbit atop NASA's giant 322-foot Space Launch System rocket. Launching atop 8.8 million pounds of thrust, the SLS is the most powerful rocket NASA ever launched, about 17% more powerful than the iconic Saturn V rocket used during the Apollo era.
Nadia Zomorodian, News-Journal Via USA TODAY NETWORK
The Artemis II crewed lunar mission launches at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on April 1, 2026. Artemis II is a 10-day flight with four astronauts on a loop around the Moon, marking the first time humans have traveled beyond low Earth orbit since the Apollo 17 mission in 1972.
JIM WATSON, AFP Via Getty Images
Cleveland Guardians players warm up as the NASA's Artemis II launches from Kennedy Space Center in Florida prior to the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium.
Jayne Kamin-Oncea, Imagn Images
People watch the Artemis II crewed lunar mission launch on a television outside of the News Corp building on April 1, 2026 in New York City. The 10-day mission will take NASA astronauts Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover and Mission Specialist Christina Koch and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen around the moon and back. The astronauts are supposed to fly 230,000 miles out into space, the farthest any human has ever traveled from Earth.
Adam Gray, Getty Images
Artemis II and it’s crew of four lift off from Kennedy Space Center April 1, 2026 on a 10-day mission around the Moon and back.
Craig Bailey, FLORIDA TODAY
People observe the launch of Artemis II from the A. Max Brewer Bridge in Titusville, Florida on April 1, 2026 in Cape Canaveral, Fla. The 322-foot-tall rocket will take astronauts around the moon and back, 230,000 miles out into space and the farthest any human has ever traveled from Earth.
Gerardo Mora, Getty Images
Artemis II and it’s crew of four lift off from Kennedy Space Center April 1, 2026 on a 10-day mission around the Moon and back. Craig Bailey, FLORIDA TODAY via USA TODAY NETWORK
Craig Bailey, FLORIDA TODAY
People observe and celebrate the launch of the Artemis II from the A. Max Brewer Bridge in Titusville, Florida on April 01, 2026 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The 322-foot-tall rocket will take astronauts around the moon and back, 230,000 miles out into space and the farthest any human has ever traveled from Earth.
Gerardo Mora, Getty Images
The Artemis II astronauts leave crew quarters at Kennedy Space Center, FL April 1, 2026 headed to Pad 39B for launch on an 10-day rendezvous with the Moon. Craig Bailey, FLORIDA TODAY via USA TODAY NETWORK
Craig Bailey, FLORIDA TODAY
Artemis II Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen talks with family as the crew leaves crew quarters at Kennedy Space Center, FL April 1, 2026. They’re headed to Pad 39B for launch on an 10-day rendezvous with the Moon. Craig Bailey, FLORIDA TODAY via USA TODAY NETWORK
Craig Bailey, FLORIDA TODAY
The Artemis II astronauts leave crew quarters at Kennedy Space Center, FL April 1, 2026 headed to Pad 39B for launch on an 10-day rendezvous with the Moon. Craig Bailey, FLORIDA TODAY via USA TODAY NETWORK
Craig Bailey, FLORIDA TODAY
Artemis II Pilot Victor Glover blows kisses to his family as the crew leaves crew quarters at Kennedy Space Center, FL April 1, 2026. They’re headed to Pad 39B for launch on an 10-day rendezvous with the Moon.
Craig Bailey, FLORIDA TODAY
The Artemis II astronauts (from left) Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen, Pilot Victor Glover, Commander Reid Wiseman and Mission Specialist Christina Koch leave crew quarters at Kennedy Space Center, FL April 1, 2026 headed to Pad 39B for launch on an 10-day rendezvous with the Moon. Craig Bailey, FLORIDA TODAY via USA TODAY NETWORK
Craig Bailey, FLORIDA TODAY
Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman sends a heart of loved ones as the crew leaves crew quarters at Kennedy Space Center, FL April 1, 2026. They’re headed to Pad 39B for launch on an 10-day rendezvous with the Moon. Craig Bailey, FLORIDA TODAY via USA TODAY NETWORK
Craig Bailey, FLORIDA TODAY
Artemis II Mission Specialist Christina Koch laughs as the crew leaves crew quarters at Kennedy Space Center, FL April 1, 2026. They’re headed to Pad 39B for launch on an 10-day rendezvous with the Moon. Craig Bailey, FLORIDA TODAY via USA TODAY NETWORK
Craig Bailey, FLORIDA TODAY
Photographers set up remote cameras inside Pad 39B March 31, 2026 in advance of the launch of Artemis II. Craig Bailey, FLORIDA TODAY via USA TODAY NETWORK
Craig Bailey, FLORIDA TODAY
Remote camerasa are set up inside Pad 39B March 31, 2026 in advance of the launch of Artemis II. Craig Bailey, FLORIDA TODAY via USA TODAY NETWORK
Craig Bailey, FLORIDA TODAY
NASAÕs Space Launch System rocket Artemis II is readied for launch on Pad 39B at Kennedy Space Center, FL, March 31, 2026. Artemis II is scheduled to launch April 4, taking 4 astronauts around the Moon and back. Craig Bailey, FLORIDA TODAY via USA TODAY NETWORK
Craig Bailey, FLORIDA TODAY
Photographers set up remote cameras inside Pad 39B March 31, 2026 in advance of the launch of Artemis II. Craig Bailey, FLORIDA TODAY via USA TODAY NETWORK
Craig Bailey, FLORIDA TODAY
Photographers set up remote cameras inside Pad 39B March 31, 2026 in advance of the launch of Artemis II. Craig Bailey, FLORIDA TODAY via USA TODAY NETWORK
Craig Bailey, FLORIDA TODAY
Photographers set up remote cameras inside Pad 39B March 31, 2026 in advance of the launch of Artemis II. Craig Bailey, FLORIDA TODAY via USA TODAY NETWORK
Craig Bailey, FLORIDA TODAYPeople set cameras to photograph NASA's Artemis II lunar flyby mission, with the next-generation moon rocket, the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and the Orion crew capsule, on Pad 39B ahead of the launch of the Artemis II mission at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., March 31, 2026. The rocket is scheduled for an April 1, 2026, 6:24 p.m. launch of the 10-day mission.
Brendan McDermid, REUTERS
This NASA handout image shows NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Artemis II commander (L), Victor Glover, Artemis II pilot (2L), Christina Koch, Artemis II mission specialist (2R), and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, Artemis II mission specialist (R), as they pose for a group photo during a visit to NASA's Artemis II SLS (Space Launch System) rocket and Orion spacecraft, on March 30, 2026, at Launch Complex 39B of NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
BILL INGALLS, NASA/AFP Via Getty Images
The countdown clock runs as NASA's Artemis II Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft sit on Launch Pad 39B at the Kennedy Space Center on April 1, 2026 in Cape Canaveral, Fla.
Joe Raedle, Getty Images
Photographers set up remote cameras inside Pad 39B March 31, 2026 in advance of the launch of Artemis II.
Craig Bailey, FLORIDA TODAYPeople gather ahead of the launch of the next-generation moon rocket, the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and the Orion crew capsule, part of NASA's Artemis II lunar flyby mission, from NASA's Kennedy Space Center, in Titusville, Fla., April 1, 2026.
Marco Bello, REUTERS
Space enthusiasts watch the sunrise from a park in Titusville, Fla. several hours before NASA's Artemis II Space Launch System (SLS) rocket is scheduled to launch from the Kennedy Space Center on April 1, 2026.
GREGG NEWTON, AFP Via Getty Images
Space enthusiasts watch the sunrise from a park in Titusville, Florida several hours before NASA's Artemis II Space Launch System (SLS) rocket is scheduled to launch from the Kennedy Space Center on April 1, 2026.
GREGG NEWTON, AFP Via Getty Images
NASA's Artemis II Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft sit on Launch Pad 39B at the Kennedy Space Center on March 31, 2026 in Cape Canaveral, Fla.
Joe Raedle, Getty ImagesBrenda Mulberry, president of Pike Products and Space Shirts, holds up one of the thousands of Artemis II t-shirts she has printed in their north Merritt Island shop.
Malcolm Denemark,FLORIDA TODAYThe Highland Mint in Melbourne, Fla. has minted an Artemis II collector coin.
Malcolm Denemark,FLORIDA TODAY
NASA's Artemis II Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft rest on Launch Pad 39B at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., on March 31, 2026, ahead of the crewed lunar mission.
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