'Godspeed': Artemis II lifts off for historic mission to the moon

President Trump on Artemis II launch: 'Amazing'

Amanda Lee Myers

President Donald Trump congratulated the Artemis II team and its four “brave astronauts” on NASA’s successful launch.

“It was quite something,” Trump said ahead of addressing the nation about the war in Iran. “It’s amazing. They are on the way, and God bless them.”

Artemis II astronauts are safe, 'in great spirits'

Amanda Lee Myers

The four astronauts in the process of making history by traveling farther in space than anyone before them are doing well several hours after liftoff.

They’re “safe, they're secure, and they're in great spirits,” NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said at a news conference about “America’s grand return to the moon.”

The launch wasn’t without a slight hiccup, he said. About 51 minutes into the flight, he said the Orion spacecraft “underwent a communications issue." The crew could hear command but command couldn’t hear the crew, he said.

The issue has been resolved, and "there were no issues with the vehicle itself," he said.

The Orion successfully separated from the core stage and its solar arrays have deployed as planned. Next, the crew is expected to reach a “stable, high-Earth orbit.”

“NASA is back in the business of sending astronauts,” he said.

Artemis II tracker. Follow moon mission in real time

Eric Lagatta

NASA's online tracker, available on desktop and as a mobile app, allows you to follow along with the Artemis II astronauts as they venture toward and around the moon aboard an Orion crew capsule.

The tracker, officially referred to as the "Artemis Real-time Orbit Website" (AROW,) allows users to not only see where the Orion spacecraft is and how fast it's traveling, but to see in miles its distance from both the Earth and the moon, according to NASA.

The interface of the desktop website version includes key mission milestones and characteristics about the moon, including information about landing sites during the Apollo era. The mobile version for smartphones included in NASA's app is similar, with the addition of an augmented reality feature that allows users to move their phones to see where Orion currently is relative to Earth.

The data is collected in real time by sensors on Orion and then sent to the Mission Control Center at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. That information will be constantly updated beginning about one minute after liftoff until Orion begins its reentry into Earth's atmosphere about 10 days later.

Artemis II main engine cut off

Adrianna Rodriguez and Brooke Edwards

The crew is safely in orbit − beginning the journey around the moon. The solar arrays of the spacecraft have also been deployed, "completing a key configuration step for the Artemis II mission," according to NASA.

Each wing extends outward roughly 63 feet when fully deployed and contains 15,000 solar cells to convert sunlight to electricity, NASA said.

The agency is set to hold a post-launch news conference at 9 p.m. ET from Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Artemis II, 4 astronauts launch on trip to moon's orbit

Amanda Lee Myers

NASA's Orion spacecraft and the four astronauts on board have left the Kennedy Space Center in Florida and are on a historic trip to fly around the moon and back.

Liftoff for Artemis II moon mission happened at about 6:35 p.m. ET. The Artemis II astronauts will venture farther in space than anyone in human history.

Artemis II is primarily considered a test flight ahead of a planned moon landing in 2028 under Artemis IV. Following that, NASA plans to land on the moon as much as twice a year to build a lunar settlement.

T-minus 10 minutes until liftoff

Amanda Lee Myers

It's now less than 10 minutes until Artemis II is expected to launch at 6:35 p.m. ET. NASA is displaying a countdown clock that started at 10 minutes and is counting down to the big moment.

Hatch is closed on Orion capsule

Amanda Lee Myers

The hours-long process to close the hatch of the Orion capsule for the Artemis II moon mission is complete.

NASA says that the mission's closeout crew members have finished their final tasks before launch. That includes helping the astronauts suit up, perform critical spacecraft checks and closing Orion's hatch.

The closeout crew has now left the spacecraft, which is "sealed and ready for flight," NASA says.

Closing the hatch isn't as simple as it sounds. Even a single strand of hair inside the hatch doors could pose issues, so the process is carefully done and takes up to four hours. Each step in the closeout process ensures airtight seals and communication readiness for the mission ahead.

What the Artemis II astronauts are eating in space

Brooke Edwards

NASA has released a menu of what the astronauts will be snacking on during their 10-day journey around the moon. Items include a variety of drinks, carbs, fruits, and vegetables.

As for energy to power through the flight objectives and science experiments, NASA has included a total of 43 servings of coffee for the four astronauts.

Weather improved to 90% favorable

Brooke Edwards

While NASA is tracking a battery issue, the weather has improved to 90% favorable.

The countdown clock is still moving toward a possible launch at 6:24 p.m. ET.

Artemis II is 'a go' after NASA engineers resolve system issue

Amanda Lee Myers

NASA says the Artemis II launch is "a go" after engineers worked to solve an issue related to their communication with a key flight termination system.

"Without assurance that this system would work if needed, today’s launch would be no-go," NASA said in a blog update just after 5 p.m. ET, less than an hour and a half before the launch window opens. Shortly after that, the agency said the issue was resolved and that the launch was clear.

The agency says that the flight termination system "allows engineers on the ground to send a signal to destruct the rocket if it were to veer off course during ascent, to protect public safety."

NASA says engineers devised a solution to verify the flight termination system.

Astronauts to see 'dark side' of the moon

John A. Torres

When the Artemis II Orion spacecraft flies around the far side of the moon, also known as the 'dark side', they will see views the Apollo missions did not. That is because the Apollo missions flew when the moon was in a different phase of lighting − the aim being to land the astronauts when the near side was illuminated.

“They’re gonna be by the dark side of the moon... We won’t hear from them for about 30 minutes," when that happens, Congressman Mike Haridopolos said as he joined a crowd on site during launch day. Haridopolos represents Florida's 8th District and chairs the House Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics.

Artemis II moves toward launch

Brooke Edwards

While watching for major issues, teams are also watching possible weather constraints. The concern being upper winds, which would pose a danger if the spacecraft needed to abort. The weather is expected to move west and out of the launch area.

The Closeout Crew is working toward closing the outer hatch of the spacecraft, which is now pressurized.

Crew members board spacecraft, 'get buckled in'

Doyle Rice

NASA’s Artemis II crew members are boarding the agency’s Orion spacecraft to begin communication checks to confirm voice links with mission control and onboard systems, NASA reported mid-afternoon Wednesday.

According to NASA, before entering the spacecraft that will be their home on the approximately 10-day journey around the moon and back, all four crewmates signed the inside of the White Room, an area at the end of the crew access arm that provides access to the spacecraft. The term “White Room” dates to NASA’s Gemini program, and to honor this human spaceflight tradition, the room remains white today.

"The Artemis II closeout crew is now working to help the astronauts enter the Orion spacecraft and make final preparations for their nearly 700,000-mile trip to the Moon and back," NASA said. "As part of the process, the closeout crew is helping the astronauts don their Orion Crew Survival System helmets and gloves, as well as board Orion and get buckled in."

A short time from now, the closeout crew will close the crew module and exterior launch abort system hatches, NASA said. Even a single strand of hair inside the hatch doors could potentially pose issues with closing either hatch, so the process is carefully done and takes up to four hours. Each step in the closeout process ensures airtight seals and communication readiness for the mission ahead.

Mind-boggling facts about Artemis II

Doyle Rice

During the journey, the crew is set to experience incredible forces and distances:

• Once the engines – alongside the two solid rocket boosters – get SLS off the pad, the rocket goes soaring off into space at approximately 17,000 mph. At that speed, you could get from Los Angeles to New York in about 10 minutes. It's the equivalent to 22 times the speed of sound.
• Standing as tall as the Statue of Liberty, the rocket they will be launched in is one of the largest and most powerful ever built. The Artemis II Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion capsule, when fully stacked, stand 322 feet tall. This makes it taller than the Statue of Liberty (but shorter than the Apollo-era Saturn V.)
• At its farthest, Artemis II will be about 250,000 miles from Earth. If they launch as scheduled, NASA expects that on April 6, they will surpass Apollo 13's record when it reached 248,655 miles from Earth.

Astronauts 'make final stop' before boarding

Doyle Rice

In a post from 2:14 pm, NASA said that "in the next few minutes, the crew will take the elevator up the pad’s fixed service structure and walk down the climate-controlled crew access arm to the White Room, their final stop before climbing aboard their Orion spacecraft."

"In this clean, controlled environment at the end of the crew access arm, the closeout crew will assist the astronauts with hatch operations and verify that all safety systems are ready for launch," NASA said.

Astronauts suit up, say goodbye to loved ones

Dinah Voyles Pulver

The four astronauts have left the suit-up room. They walked out of the building exit and were greeted by applause as they waved and said goodbye to family members who had been with them in the quarantine room to support crew members.

"It's a great day for us, it's a great day for this team," said Commander Reid Wiseman.

They walked out of the same doors astronauts have walked out of since the Apollo mission, NASA said Wednesday afternoon. 

A 'unique' view of the moon

Dinah Voyles Pulver

When the astronauts reach their closest point to the moon, as they fly behind it on Day 6, they'll take photos, videos and make audio recordings of their observations, according to NASA. During their lunar flyby, the Earth will appear in the background, roughly 250,000 miles away. In the foreground, the moon will appear about the size of a basketball held at arm’s length.

Meanwhile, at mission control during the flyby, a science officer is scheduled to be talking with a team of scientists on impact cratering, volcanism, tectonism and lunar ice to give the flight crew real-time analysis and guidance. This mission is considered a “unique opportunity” for humans to evaluate the lunar surface, and they'll be looking for details that may not have been picked up by robotic cameras, NASA has said. “Human eyes and brains are highly sensitive to subtle changes in color, texture, and other surface characteristics."

'80% likelihood of go today': Astronauts get weather briefing

Dinah Voyles Pulver

Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, Artemis launch director, said just after 12:30 p.m. that they've just spoken briefly with the astronauts for an update that included a weather briefing.

“Our weather from our launch weather officer remains at an 80% likelihood of go today," said Blackwell-Thompson. They expect a possibility of showers in the early afternoon, but no lightning is expected. She said that is “going to dissipate” as the two-hour flight window draws closer.

NASA says 'major milestone' reached in preparation for Artemis launch

Doyle Rice

According to a midday post from NASA, "liquid oxygen fast fill is now complete for the SLS (Space Launch System) upper stage, marking another major milestone in tanking operations."

Teams are moving on to testing and topping off the liquid oxygen. The fast fill process is important because it "safely loads the bulk of the super-cold oxidizer needed for launch," NASA said. That brings the rocket upper stage closer to full readiness for its role in sending the Orion spacecraft into a high Earth orbit.

Crowds gather along Florida's Space Coast

Doyle Rice and Finch Walker

Under the bright April sun, crowds are gathering across Florida's Space Coast and looking toward the sky.

People from near and far were coming together throughout Brevard County in eastern Florida to watch NASA's milestone Artemis II launch to the moon from Kennedy Space Center on April 1.

Just before 11 a.m., traffic continued to flow along U.S. 1 in the Titusville area and along the beaches. There were no active reports of any crashes or major traffic issues.

For this evening’s launch of Artemis II, Bob Moletteire and his wife, Maria, plan to be as close as possible — without having to travel far.

“We are walking across the street to watch the launch around 5:30 p.m. with our beach chairs … and maybe a cocktail,” he said.

The couple live across from Paradise Beach at Howard E. Futch Memorial Park in beachside Melbourne, where his balcony typically offers a clear view of rocket launches. As of this morning, he said traffic appeared normal — though that could change as the launch window approaches.

How long will Artemis II be in space?

Dinah Voyles Pulver

The total planned mission for the Orion, the Artemis crew capsule, includes roughly nine days, one hour and 46 minutes in flight, with a planned splash down on day 10.

What payload is Artemis II carrying?

Dinah Voyles Pulver

The planned mission includes the launch of four shoe-box-sized demonstrations and experiments known as “CubeSats.” Each is from another international space agency and designed to enhance understanding of the space environment and inform plans for future Artemis launches, according to NASA.

The four experiments, scheduled to be released roughly five hours into the flight, are:

• ATENEA, from the Argentina National Space Activities Commission, is designed to collect data on the radiation spectrum around the Earth and global positioning data to help plan future missions. It’s also expected to validate a long-range communications link.
• K-Rad Cube, from the Korea Aerospace Administration, uses a material designed to mimic human tissue to measure space radiation and assess biological effects.
• Space Weather CubeSat, from the Saudi Space Agency, is expected to measure and observe space weather, including radiation, solar X-rays, solar energetic particles and magnetic fields.
• TACHELES, from the Germany Space Agency DLR, is tasked with collecting information on the effects of the space environment on electrical components for use in designing lunar vehicles.

How to watch NASA coverage of Artemis II moon mission

Doyle Rice and Eric Lagatta

NASA is providing all-day coverage on April 1 of Artemis II preparations leading up to the launch of the towering Space Launch System rocket from Launch Complex 39B at the Kennedy Space Center.

Livestreams will be available throughout the day on Amazon Prime, NASA's YouTube channel and NASA+, the agency's free streaming service.

Future coverage on NASA+ will also be available during significant mission milestones, including lunar flyby attempts and their return to and landing back at Earth.

Who are the astronauts of NASA's Artemis II moon mission?

Bob Gabordi, FLORIDA TODAY

A follow up to the 2022 Artemis I uncrewed mission, the astronauts will pick up where the 1972 Apollo 17 mission left off. Here is the crew for Artemis II:

• Commander: Reid Wiseman
• Pilot: Victor Glover
• Mission specialist: Christina Koch
• Mission specialist: Jeremy Hansen 

Artemis II fueling is picking up speed

Doyle Rice

The fueling process for the Artemis II rocket has picked up speed, according to a morning X post from NASA. "The rocket is now more quickly filling with liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen."

When the core stage is completely full, it will contain 196,000 gallons of liquid oxygen and 537,000 gallons of liquid hydrogen, NASA said.

Artemis II launch weather forecast says 80% odds of favorable conditions

Doyle Rice

Wednesday's forecast still calls for 80% odds of favorable conditions, according to Mark Burger, launch weather officer with the Space Force’s 45th Weather Squadron.

Although conditions look good for this evening's launch, a delay is still possible. Current forecasts call for a slight chance of showers between late morning and midafternoon, with rain chances around 20%. Skies are expected to be partly sunny, with highs near 75 degrees and east winds between 5 and 15 mph, with gusts up to 20 mph, according to the National Weather Service office in Melbourne.

"Even if we have showers around, we have a two-hour launch window. We should be able to shoot the gap between those showers. And none of these look particularly vigorous,” Burger said.

What are the astronauts doing?

Rick Neale

On the final morning before departing Earth, the four Artemis II astronauts have awakened and are prepping to don spacesuits and head to the Orion spacecraft.

As of 9:25 a.m. ET, the four astronauts "just woke up" and the launch team is conducting a countdown status check, according to a post on X from NASA's Kennedy Space Center.

Jeff Spaulding, NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems senior test director, previously outlined the astronauts' launch-day schedule during a NASA news conference on Tuesday, March 31.

The Artemis II crew should head out to pad 39B a little before 2 p.m. ET Wednesday, April 1, at Kennedy Space Center. Then their Space Launch System rocket is scheduled to take flight about 4½ hours later, at 6:24 p.m. ET.