NASA's Artemis II mission is set to launch this week, marking the first human return to lunar space in over 53 years. The mission will send four astronauts on a journey around the far side of the Moon using the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft. Weather conditions and technical systems are favorable, with multiple backup launch opportunities available through early April.
Background
The last human Moon landing was Apollo 17 in December 1972, making this the first crewed lunar mission in over five decades. Artemis II represents a critical step in NASA's plan to establish a sustainable human presence on the Moon.
- Source
- Ars Technica
- Published
- Mar 31, 2026 at 10:25 PM
- Score
- 9.0 / 10