The Artemis II mission is currently in space, orbiting Earth as it prepares for its journey to the Moon. The spacecraft, named Integrity, launched successfully from in Florida on April 1, 2026, at 6:35 p.m. EDT.
Current Location & Status
As of April 2, 2026:
- Location: The Orion spacecraft is in a high-Earth orbit, approximately 42,500 to 44,000 miles from Earth.
- Activity: The crew—Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen—is currently performing critical system checks, including life support and manual piloting tests.
- Key Maneuver: Earlier today, the crew executed a perigee raise burn, which adjusted their orbit to prepare for the final "push" toward the Moon.
- Next Phase: The Translunar Injection (TLI) burn is scheduled for tonight (approximately 24 hours after launch), which will officially send the crew on their four-day trip toward the lunar vicinity.
- How to Track Artemis IIYou can follow the mission's progress in real-time through official channels:
- Artemis Real-time Orbit Website (AROW): Pinpoint Orion’s exact location, distance from Earth, and velocity.
- NASA Live: Watch live mission coverage and listen to communications between Houston and the crew.
- NASA Mission Blog: Get the latest text updates on mission milestones.
The mission is expected to last roughly 10 days in total, with a planned splashdown in the Pacific Ocean on April 11, 2026.
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