Artemis II Moon Launch on April 1: NASA Set For First Crewed Lunar Mission Since 1972

After more than five decades, NASA is preparing to send astronauts around the Moon once again with its landmark Artemis II mission, a major step in humanity's return to deep-space exploration. The mission is being seen as a crucial full-scale rehearsal before future lunar landings under the Artemis programme.

If all goes as planned, Artemis II is scheduled to lift off as early as April 1 at 6:24 PM EDT, which is 3:54 AM IST on Wednesday. The mission will mark the first crewed flight of NASA's Artemis Program, with four astronauts travelling aboard the Orion spacecraft for a journey around the Moon and safely back to Earth.

When and where to watch Artemis II launch live

Viewers can watch the historic launch live on NASA+, YouTube, and even Netflix, which is offering a special 4K stream of the event. NASA's live coverage is expected to begin early Wednesday morning, including the "Wet Dress" and fueling procedures ahead of liftoff.

The mission has drawn global attention because it is the first time since the Apollo era that humans are set to travel beyond low-Earth orbit toward the Moon.

Artemis II to become first crewed lunar mission since 1972

Artemis II will be the first mission since 1972, when the Apollo era ended, to carry humans on a lunar journey. Unlike Apollo missions that landed astronauts on the Moon, Artemis II will focus on a flyby mission, sending astronauts around the Moon before returning them to Earth.

This makes it a critical test flight for NASA as it prepares for future crewed lunar landings. The mission is also being viewed as the formal beginning of a new era in human spaceflight beyond Earth orbit.

Four astronauts onboard for NASA's historic Moon mission

The Artemis II crew includes four astronauts who will make history during the mission:

• Reid Wiseman - Commander
• Victor Glover - Pilot
• Christina Koch - Mission Specialist
• Jeremy Hansen - Mission Specialist (Canada)

The flight will be historic not only because of its destination, but also because it will include the first woman and the first non-American astronaut to travel to the Moon's vicinity.

The crew will travel aboard the Orion spacecraft, which has been specifically designed for deep-space missions. NASA says Orion is equipped with:

• Advanced life-support systems
• Radiation protection
• Emergency abort capability
• High-speed Earth re-entry shield

The spacecraft will be launched using NASA's Space Launch System (SLS), described as the most powerful rocket the agency has ever built. It is expected to generate more thrust than the iconic Saturn V rocket used during the Apollo missions.

Mission to last around 10 days with high-speed return to Earth

The Artemis II mission is expected to last about 10 days, during which astronauts will complete:

• Earth orbit testing
• Travel toward the Moon
• Lunar flyby
• High-speed return to Earth

NASA plans for the crew to travel thousands of kilometres beyond the Moon before heading back to Earth.

One of the most critical phases of the mission will be the return journey. The Orion capsule is expected to enter Earth's atmosphere at a staggering 40,000 km/h (25,000 mph). During re-entry, its heat shield must withstand temperatures of nearly 2,800°C (5,000°F) before the capsule splashes down in the Pacific Ocean around April 10.

The spacecraft will also use a "free-return" trajectory, a path designed so that Earth's gravity naturally pulls Orion back home even if major onboard systems fail, adding an extra layer of safety for astronauts travelling into deep space.

Why Artemis II matters for NASA's future Moon and Mars plans

Unlike future Artemis missions, Artemis II will not land on the Moon. Instead, its goal is to validate the systems that will be needed for more ambitious missions in the years ahead.

During the mission, NASA will test:

• Navigation systems
• Deep-space communication
• Astronaut safety in lunar space
• Spacecraft performance with humans onboard

These tests are considered essential before NASA attempts another crewed lunar landing.

Artemis II is also a major milestone in NASA's long-term space strategy. The broader Artemis programme aims to:

• Build the Gateway lunar space station
• Land astronauts near the Moon's south pole
• Lay the groundwork for future Mars missions

More than just a single launch, Artemis II is being seen as the start of a new chapter in global space exploration. It is expected to strengthen international cooperation, inspire future astronauts, test next-generation space technologies, and move humanity closer to sustained lunar presence and eventual journeys to Mars.