\nFlight Day 4: Artemis 2 astronauts report burning smell from Orion toilet<\/p>\n
HOUSTON — Good morning, Space Fans!<\/p>\n
Late last night, the Artemis 2 crew reported a burning smell from their Orion spacecraft’s toilet.<\/p>\n
“Regarding the smell, I just wanted to make sure you all were tracking the EGS notes of the kind of burning heater smell that was coming from toilet several times,” Artemis 2 mission specialist Christina Koch radioed to Mission Control. “It was never identified as the source, what it exactly was, but it was identified as an unknown smell.”<\/p>\n
\n
![\"Artemis](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/D3A5oPJ4pnswpvQUveXKYB.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n
Artemis 2 astronauts work inside the Orion spacecraft on Flight Day 3 of the mission on April 3, 2026. (Image credit: NASA)<\/p>\n
Flight controllers in Mission Control initially suspected that the smell may be originating from orange insulation on the toilet’s hygiene bay door, and weren’t concerned about it.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n “Overall, we don’t have any major concerns,” Mission Control radioed the crew.<\/p>\n The astronauts radioed back that it didn’t seem to be the source, but smelled similar to starting up an old electric heater that’s been not used in awhile. Mission Control will continue to evaluate it, but the crew did receive clearance to continue using the toilet.<\/p>\n It is Saturday morning here at the home of NASA’s Mission Control for the Artemis 2 mission to the moon. The four astronauts on the mission are due to wake up at 12:35 p.m. EDT (1635 GMT) to begin their day, which will be filled with some final studying to prepare for the moon targets they will try to photograph and observe during their lunar flyby on Monday, April 6.<\/p>\n Tariq Malik<\/p>\n Editor-in-Chief, Space.com<\/p>\n 2026-04-04T04:22:15.936Z \n (Image credit: NASA)<\/p>\n The four astronauts of NASA’s Artemis 2 mission just notched a major milestone: They’re closer to the moon<\/a> than they are to Earth.<\/p>\n Jacki Mahaffey, a Capsule Communicator (CAPCOM) at Johnson Space Center<\/a> in Houston, radioed the news to the quartet around midnight EDT (0400 GMT) on Saturday morning (April 4).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n “Wow! Jacki, thank you for sharing that with us,” responded Artemis 2<\/a> mission specialist Christina Koch.<\/p>\n “We all kind of had a collective, I guess, expression of joy at that,” Koch added. “We can see the moon out of the docking hatch right now. It is a beautiful sight. We’re seeing more and more of the far side, and it’s just a thrill to be here.”<\/p>\n The Artemis 2 astronauts \u2014 Koch and fellow NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman and Victor Glover, and the Canadian Space Agency’s Jeremy Hansen \u2014 launched aboard an Orion capsule on Wednesday (April 1). On Monday (April 6), they will loop around the far side of the moon, getting farther from Earth than any humans ever have<\/a>. They’ll then head back to their home planet, arriving on April 10.<\/p>\n The quartet spent this evening setting up the equipment they’ll need for the April 6 flyby. Hansen and Glover got a workout in, and all four spent some time looking out Orion’s window, taking in the amazing views.<\/p>\n Mike Wall<\/p>\n Spaceflight and Tech Editor, Space.com<\/p>\n 2026-04-03T23:05:24.653Z \n Artemis 2 mission specialist Christina Koch and her crewmates work inside the Orion spacecraft Integrity while en route to the moon on (Image credit: NASA)<\/p>\n HOUSTON — Well, Space Fans, it is official.<\/p>\n NASA Artemis 2 flight director Judd Frieling confirmed today that the Artemis 2 astronauts will become the farthest humans from Earth when they fly around the moon on Monday, April 6. Our spaceflight editor Mike Wall has our full story on the Artemis 2 astronauts upcoming distance record<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n At their farthest point during the moon flyby, the Artemis 2 crew will be 252,757 miles (406,773 kilometers) from Earth. That’s farther than the 248,655 miles (400,171 km) from Earth reached by the Apollo 13 crew in 1970.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, you may be wondering what astronauts on the International Space Station were doing when NASA’s Artemis 2 moon mission launched. Well, they did what you’d expect.<\/p>\n Our astronomy editor Monisha Ravisetti has the story here on how the ISS crew watched the Artemis 2 moon launch into space<\/a>.<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: NASA\/Jessica Meir)<\/p>\n The Artemis 2 astronauts are currently having lunch inside the Orion spacecraft. Here’s a look at what the Artemis 2 astronauts are eating<\/a> on the way to the moon.<\/p>\n They are nearing the midpoint of their trip to the moon, which they’ll hit later today.<\/p>\n “Crazy that we’re seeing 105,000 miles and it’s still going up pretty quick,” Artemis 2 commander Reid Wiseman said.<\/p>\n Tariq Malik<\/p>\n Editor-in-Chief, Space.com<\/p>\n 2026-04-03T21:37:16.289Z \n (Image credit: NASA\/Reid Wiseman)<\/p>\n HOUSTON — Hey, Space Fans! Hello from NASA’s Johnson Space Center here as we continue our coverage of the Artemis 2 mission<\/a> to the moon.<\/p>\n Today has been a slower pace day here as the astronauts settle into their cruise to the moon<\/a>. (I have a whole story about it, check it out!)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n This morning, while the crew was sleeping, I had the chance to go inside Mission Control’s White Flight Control Room<\/a>, where the Artemis 2 flight controllers are overseeing the flight. Check it out!<\/p>\n As you saw at the top of this post, the astronauts are already taking amazing photos of Earth from space<\/a>. As of 2:30 pm ET today, they were about 100,000 miles from Earth and 150,000 miles from the moon, and remain on track for a lunar flyby on Monday, April 6.<\/p>\n Speaking of remaining on track, the Artemis 2 Orion spaceccraft’s translunar injection burn yesterday<\/a> was so precise, flight controllers decided to skip a planned maneuver today to fine-tune Orion’s path toward the moon. If they need to make more changes, they’ll do it tomorrow, NASA said in a press conference today.<\/p>\n Howard Hu, Orion program manager for NASA, said the Orion capsule<\/a> service module did experience a helium pressurization system glitch in its propulsion system, but they switched to a backup and there is no threat to the mission at this time.<\/p>\n There are a few milestones we’re expecting today:<\/p>\n CPR demonstration: The crew is expected to test CPR procedures in Orion<\/p>\n Public Affairs Event: The astronauts are expected to speak with reporters later today.<\/p>\n Canadian Event: Canadian Space Agency Artemis 2 astronaut Jeremy Hansen will speak with officials from Canada later today.<\/p>\n Tariq Malik<\/p>\n Editor-in-Chief, Space.com<\/p>\n 2026-04-03T17:21:19.895Z The Artemis 2 astronauts are awake and ready to tackle another busy day in the final frontier.<\/p>\n Artemis 2<\/a> Commander Reid Wiseman touched base with Mission Control today (April 1) at about 1 p.m. EDT (1700 GMT), letting everyone know that the crew was up \u2014 even before the day’s designated wakeup song began playing.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n “We can do some post-wakeup music,” Wiseman said. Mission Control obliged, hitting “play” on “In a Daydream,” a 1993 song by the Freddy Jones Band.<\/p>\n Wiseman and his crewmates \u2014 NASA’s Victor Glover and Christina Koch and the Canadian Space Agency’s Jeremy Hansen \u2014 are on their way to the moon. Their Orion capsule left Earth orbit yesterday (April 2) after acing a key engine burn<\/a>. The quartet will loop around the moon on Monday (April 6) and then head back home to Earth, splashing down off the coast of San Diego a few days later.<\/p>\n But the Artemis 2 crew is doubtless focused on today, which will be quite full.<\/p>\n “Activities today are focused on a CPR demonstration [and] space adaptation,” a commentator at Mission Control said during NASA’s Artemis 2 livestream just after wakeup. “We’ll have a couple of public affairs events as well as checkouts of medical devices, to name a few.”<\/p>\n Mike Wall<\/p>\n Spaceflight and tech editor<\/p>\n 2026-04-03T14:24:54.594Z \n A picture of Earth taken by Artemis 2 commander Reid Wiseman taken from inside the mission’s Orion spacecraft on Flight Day 3, April 3, 2026. (Image credit: NASA\/Reid Wiseman)<\/p>\n Artemis 2 commander Reid Wiseman has shared breathtaking photos of Earth as seen from the window of the mission’s Orion spacecraft.<\/p>\n “Pause for a moment with the crew of Artemis II as they look back at our home planet, seen through the window of the Orion capsule. That’s us, together, looking back at the astronauts journeying to the moon, for all of humanity,” NASA wrote in a post sharing the photos on their Instagram account<\/a>.<\/p>\n A second photo shows Earth just peeking through the spacecraft’s window in a stark reminder of just how far Artemis 2 is traveling away from our planet.<\/p>\n \n Earth peeks through the capsule window of the Orion spacecraft as photographed by Artemis 2 commander Reid Wiseman on the mission’s Flight Day 3, April 3, 2026. (Image credit: NASA\/Reid Wiseman) Brett Tingley<\/p>\n Managing Editor<\/p>\n 2026-04-03T13:26:17.505Z \n The four astronauts of the Artemis 2 mission inside their Orion spacecraft on Flight Day 3, April 3, 2026. (Image credit: NASA)<\/p>\n The four astronauts of NASA’s historic Artemis 2 mission<\/a> are now officially on their way to the moon.<\/p>\n The mission’s Orion spacecraft<\/a> successfully performed a critical engine burn Thursday evening (April 2) called a translunar injection<\/a> that put them on a course to fly a looping trajectory around the moon’s far side before lunar gravity sends them flying back towards Earth. Artemis 2 will be the first time that astronauts have flown so far from our planet since Apollo 17 in 1972.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Today, the crew has tested their exercise equipment and will practice performing CPR in zero gravity and demoing some of the spacecraft’s onboard medical equipment. The astronauts will also spend time practicing moon photography and lunar observations<\/a> ahead of their big flyby on April 6.<\/p>\n Read more: NASA’s Artemis 2 astronauts are cruising to the moon. So why are they doing CPR tests today?<\/a><\/p>\n 2026-04-03T02:46:16.016Z The Artemis 2 astronauts are in good health and good spirits as they journey toward the moon<\/a>, according to mission team members.<\/p>\n “As far as the crewmembers, they’re doing great,” Judd Frieling, Artemis 2<\/a> ascent flight director, said during a press briefing on Thursday evening (April 2). “There’s no indication that they’re having any problems at all.”<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The briefing occurred just after Artemis 2’s Orion capsule performed a crucial translunar injection burn, which took the spacecraft out of Earth orbit and sent it on its way to the moon. Everything went well with the maneuver<\/a>, which lasted just under six minutes, and Orion is set to loop around Earth’s nearest neighbor on Day 6 of the 10-day Artemis 2 mission.<\/p>\n 2026-04-02T23:59:00.948Z \n The view from NASA’s Artemis 2 Orion capsule during the mission’s crucial translunar injection burn on April 2, 2026. (Image credit: NASA)<\/p>\n HOUSTON — It was a success!<\/p>\n NASA’s Artemis 2 <\/a>Orion spacecraft successfully performed its translunar injection burn, or TLI, ina 5 minute, 55 second maneuver that sent the probe beyond Earth orbit — the first time astronauts have done so since Apollo 17<\/a> in 1972.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The burn began on time at 7:49 p.m. EDT (2349 GMT), 1 day, 1 hour and 14 minutes into the mission.<\/p>\n “Integrity, looks like a good burn,” Mission Control Capcom Chris Birch radioed to the crew.<\/p>\n The Orion spacecraft <\/a>came within 115 miles of the Earth’s surface, but is swiftly departing.<\/p>\n The burn places Orion on an free return trajectory that will carry it on a loop around the moon, then back to Earth for a splashdown off the coast of Sand Diego, California.<\/p>\n Tariq Malik<\/p>\n Editor-in-Chief, Space.com<\/p>\n 2026-04-02T23:51:08.841Z HOUSTON — It has begun!<\/p>\n The Artemis 2<\/a> Orion spacecraft has ignited its main engine to begin a nearly 6-minute translunar injection burn that will send its four-astronaut crew to the moon and back.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The burn will last 5 minutes, 55 seconds — a bit longer than previously stated — and accelerate the Orion spacecraft<\/a> Integrity by 1,274 feet per second.<\/p>\n Orion was just under 115 miles above Earth at the time.<\/p>\n If you strapped Orion’s engine to a car and performed the burn, the car would go from 0 to 60 mph in 2.7 seconds.<\/p>\n Tariq Malik<\/p>\n Editor-in-Chief, Space.com<\/p>\n 2026-04-02T23:31:19.999Z HOUSTON — NASA Artemis 2<\/a> flight controllers in Mission Control here at the Johnson Space Center<\/a> just held the final poll to say Go or No Go for the trans-lunar injection burn to head to the moon.<\/p>\n All systems are GO. The manuever is set<\/a> for 7:49 p.m. EDT (2349 GMT).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n “When the engine ignites, you embark on humanity’s lunar homecoming arc and set the course to return integrity and her crew safely home,” NASA astronaut Chris Birch, the Capsule Communicator in Mission Controld, radioed to Artemis 2 crew.<\/a> “Houston is go for TLI.”<\/p>\n The Artemis 2 crew is ready, too.<\/p>\n “Integrity copies,” Koch replied. “Your integrity crew is go for TLI. With this burn for the moon, we do not leave Earth. We choose it.”<\/p>\n NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman<\/a> is now in Mission Control to observe the burn.<\/p>\n This is the first time in over 53 years astronauts are leaving Earth for a trip to the moon.<\/p>\n Tariq Malik<\/p>\n Editor-in-Chief, Space.com<\/p>\n 2026-04-02T22:50:59.245Z \n (Image credit: NASA)<\/p>\n HOUSTON — It’s almost time! We’re now just under 1 hour away from the critical trans-lunar injection burn <\/a>to head for the moon. That maneuver is scheduled for 7:49 p.m. EDT (2349 GMT) to send the Artemis 2 mission<\/a> to the moon.<\/p>\n The burn will last about 5 minutes and 49 seconds and use the orbital manuevering engine on the Orion’s European Service Module. The engine is a repurposed space shuttle Orbital Manuevering System engine that flew to space on 19 missions aboard three different space shuttles<\/a> earlier in its life.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The main engine on Orion is one of three propulsion systems onthe vehicle. The capsule has eight smaller auxiliary engines on its service modules, as well as a set of maneuvering thrusters on the Orion capsule itself.<\/p>\n Orion is now less than 10,000 miles from Earth and closing as they prepare to whip around Earth.<\/p>\n Tariq Malik<\/p>\n Editor-in-Chief, Space.com<\/p>\n 2026-04-02T21:19:36.196Z \n (Image credit: NASA)<\/p>\n HOUSTON — With NASA’s Artemis 2 moon mission<\/a> now committed for a trip around the moon, the four astronauts aboard are settling into what will be a 10-day trip.<\/p>\n Artemis 2 commander Reid Wiseman<\/a> and Victor Glover <\/a>are setting up a new exercise flywheel device<\/a>, which you can see above, that will be their primary exercise tool for the flight. As part of a demonstration of the device on this mission, the astronauts will trade off working out on it for 30 minutes a day. It works like a zero-gravity rowing machine, with the astronauts strapping their feet into stirrups while pulling on the flywheel handle.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Mission specialists Christina Koch<\/a> and Jeremy Hansen<\/a> are filling up bags with water as part of a precaution after the crew tacked a water valve issue earlier on the flight.<\/p>\n Tariq Malik<\/p>\n Editor-in-Chief, Space.com<\/p>\n 2026-04-02T20:24:18.514Z \n (Image credit: NASA)<\/p>\n HOUSTON — NASA is “GO” for the moon!<\/p>\n Hey, Space Fans, NASA just told the Artemis 2<\/a> astronauts aboard the Orion spacecraft Integrity that they can press ahead with a major engine burn today called the Trans-Lunar Injection maneuver. That burn, which is expected at 7:49 p.m. EDT (2330 GMT), will last 5 minutes and 49 seconds, raise the Orion ship’s speed by about 1,274 feet per second. That’s fast enough to fling the crew on a figure-eight path around the moon known as a free-return trajectory.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n NASA Mission Control here at the Johnson Space Center<\/a> radioed the good news to Artemis 2 crew just now following a decision by the Artemis 2 Mission Management Team (MMT) overseeing the flight.<\/p>\n “We are go for TLI after the MMT concluded their deliverations a few minutes ago and we’re going to proceed down that path and get ready for the burn here,” Mission Control radioed the crew.<\/p>\n “We love those words and we’re loving the view,” Artemis 2 commander Reid Wiseman<\/a> radioed back. “We’re falling back to Earth real fast and we’re looking forward to accelerating and heading back to the moon.”<\/p>\n With the TLI burn, the Artemis 2 astronauts will become the first astronauts to leave Earth orbit in over 53 years. The last time it happened was in December 1972 during NASA’s Apollo 17<\/a> mission.<\/p>\n The Artemis 2 Orion spacecraft Integrity is currently about 25,500 miles from Earth and closing, traveling at about 6,000 mph and accelerating as it falls back to Earth.<\/p>\n It is more than 243,293 miles away from the moon.<\/p>\n Tariq Malik<\/p>\n Editor-in-Chief, Space.com<\/p>\n 2026-04-02T18:51:54.338Z \n A NASA illustration of the position and trajectory of the Artemis 2 mission’s Orion spacecraft at the start of flight day two on April 2, 2026. (Image credit: NASA)<\/p>\n The second day of the Artemis 2 mission officially began just minutes ago.<\/p>\n Mission controllers at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston beamed up the day’s wake-up song, “Green Light” by John Legend featuring Andr\u00e9 3000<\/a> to end the crew’s planned sleep period. The song was accompanied by recorded messages from NASA personnel and centers wishing the crew good luck.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The next several hours will be one of the critical moments of the mission as the crew of four begin preparing for a planed translunar injection burn (TLI)<\/a> that will put them on the course to fly around the lunar far side and be flung back to Earth by the moon’s gravity. If mission teams poll “go,” the TLI will take place just after 7:30 p.m. ET (2230 GMT).<\/p>\n Follow along here for more live updates throughout the mission, all the way through splashdown. Space.com will host a livestream of the entire mission, courtesy of NASA.<\/p>\n 2026-04-02T15:23:22.819Z \n (Image credit: NASA) Artemis 2’s Orion capsule conducted another engine burn in Earth orbit this morning (April 2), successfully raising its perigee, or closest point to our planet. The burn lasted 43 seconds and helped set Orion up for a bigger and more important operation<\/a> later today \u2014 the translunar injection (TLI) burn, which will send the spacecraft and its four astronauts on a figure-eight path around the moon and back to Earth.<\/p>\n The TLI will occur at around 8:12 p.m. EDT (0012 GMT on April 3) and last about six minutes, if all goes according to plan.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n This morning’s maneuver was the second perigee-raising burn Orion has performed since launching yesterday (April 1). The capsule has also conducted one burn that raised its apogee, or farthest point from Earth.<\/p>\n Mike Wall<\/p>\n Spaceflight and tech editor<\/p>\n 2026-04-02T13:47:35.546Z \n (Image credit: NASA\/Joel Kowsky)<\/p>\n While the Artemis 2 crew gets some rest aboard Orion, it’s a great time to look back at the moment that started it all.<\/p>\n From the fiery plume at launch to crowds gathering across the Space Coast, these incredible images capture the scale and power of this historic mission.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Read more: Relive NASA’s historic Artemis 2 launch to the moon in these stunning photos<\/a><\/p>\n Daisy Dobrijevic<\/p>\n Reference Editor, Space.com<\/p>\n 2026-04-02T13:19:01.255Z \n A NASA visualization showing the Artemis 2 mission’s Orion spacecraft during its second orbit of Earth on day two of its mission, April 2, 2026. (Image credit: NASA)<\/p>\n The four astronauts of NASA’s historic Artemis 2 mission have said goodnight after the first day of their journey towards the moon.<\/p>\n The Artemis 2 crew<\/a> \u200a\u2014 NASA’s Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch, and the Canadian Space Agency’s Jeremy Hansen \u200a\u2014 just wrapped up communications with mission controllers in Houston before entering their second sleep period of the mission.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n “All right, Reid, that’s all we have. Y’all have a great night,” mission control in Houston beamed up to the Artemis 2 commander.<\/p>\n “You as well. Goodnight, Earth,” Wiseman replied.<\/p>\n Prior to saying goodnight, the Artemis 2 crew completed an engine burn to raise their perigee during their second orbit of our planet. The burn will prepare them for their crucial translunar injection burn<\/a> (TLI) later today, which will set them on their historic course for the moon.<\/p>\n They will now start their second sleep period, resting for about four hours before starting TLI procedures. Stay tuned here for round-the-clock updates of NASA’s historic mission.<\/p>\n Read more: NASA just launched Artemis 2. What happens today could make or break the moon mission<\/a><\/p>\n 2026-04-02T08:49:13.999Z NASA’s Artemis 2 mission is officially underway.<\/p>\n After a successful launch<\/a> on April 1 (and a slight toilet issue<\/a>), the four-person crew is now in Earth orbit aboard the Orion spacecraft, settling in for their first night of sleep as ground teams continue to check the vehicle’s systems.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Today marks a critical moment in the Artemis 2 mission.<\/p>\n The astronauts are not yet on their way to the moon. Instead, mission teams are preparing for a crucial maneuver later today \u2014 the translunar injection burn \u2014 which will send Orion out of Earth orbit and toward the moon.<\/p>\n It’s a major commitment point for the mission. If all systems are go, Artemis 2 will become the first crewed flight to travel beyond low Earth orbit since the Apollo era.<\/p>\n Read more: NASA just launched Artemis 2. What happens today could make or break the moon mission<\/a><\/p>\n Stay with us as we follow every step of this pivotal day for Artemis 2.<\/p>\n Daisy Dobrijevic<\/p>\n Reference Editor, Space.com<\/p>\n 2026-04-02T03:50:40.447Z CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Well, Space Fans, it has been a long day here at the Kennedy Space Center, and even more so for the Artemis 2 astronauts<\/a> now headed to the moon.<\/p>\n Artemis 2 pilot Victor Glover spent about an hour manually flying the Orion spacecraft around the upper stage of the Space Launch System<\/a> rocket that launched him and his crew into orbit. Glover reported what seemed like a smooth handling by the Orion spacecraft<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n “It does seem to move a little bit more, but it is very responsive on the corrections, and I was able to stop it on the center,” Glover said at one point as he flew within 15 meters (50 feet) of the rocket stage.<\/p>\n Then Glover flew around the side of the rocket stage, which was emblazoned with an American flag.<\/p>\n “I can see the side docking target. That is a good-looking American flag,” he said.<\/p>\n “Overall, guys, this flies very nicely,” Glover said. “Very precise.”<\/p>\n Now that those proximity flight tests are complete, Orion has pulled away from the rocket stage as the two craft part ways. The crew is arranging Orion for flight and preparing to end their day.<\/p>\n Mission specialist Christina Koch is working with flight controllers on Earth to fix Orion’s space toilet<\/a>, which seems to have a fan issue.<\/p>\n Tariq Malik<\/p>\n Editor-in-Chief, Space.com<\/p>\n 2026-04-02T02:07:13.723Z \n NASA’s Orion spacecraft separates from the Space Launch System rocket’s Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage on April 1, 2026. (Image credit: NASA)<\/p>\n The Artemis 2 Orion spacecraft is now flying on its own.<\/p>\n Close to three and a half hours into the Artemis 2 mission, pilot Victor Glover<\/a> took control of Orion after the capsule separated from the Space Launch System rocket’s Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage, or ICPS. Glover will now manually pilot Orion around ICPS, carrying out a series of maneuvers designed to test the spacecraft’s propulsion systems and ability to operate in close proximity to another object in space.<\/p>\n “I see it. Look at that, woohoo! I see the ICPS and the moon in the field of view,” Glover said during NASA’s live broadcast of the mission.<\/p>\n These tests, known as proximity operations or “prox ops,” are a key part of this test flight<\/a> and will evaluate Orion’s ability to fly near and interface with future Artemis program hardware such as the lunar lander that will eventually be chosen for NASA’s planned moon landings.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n “It’s quite nice and very responsive,” Glover said, referencing the spacecraft’s Digital Autopilot (DAP) system.<\/p>\n Brett Tingley<\/p>\n Managing Editor<\/p>\n 2026-04-02T01:11:25.358Z Artemis 2’s Orion spacecraft has aced its second key maneuver of the day, an 18-minute-long burn that raised its apogee, or farthest point from Earth, to 43,730 miles (69.797 kilometers). That burn came about an hour after Orion performed a much shorter burn, which raised its perigee, or closest point to Earth.<\/p>\n These moves help set Orion up for its trans-lunar injection (TLI) burn, which will send the capsule and its four astronauts out of Earth orbit and toward the moon. The TLI maneuver will take place on Thursday evening (April 2), if all goes to plan.<\/p>\n Mike Wall<\/p>\n Spaceflight and tech editor<\/p>\n 2026-04-02T00:05:54.111Z NASA will hold a press conference today (April 1) at 8:05 p.m. EDT (0005 GMT on April 2) to discuss the launch of its Artemis 2 moon mission. The four-astronaut Artemis 2 lifted off today at 6:35 p.m. EDT (2235 GMT). You can watch it live here at Space.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T23:37:05.821Z CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — The Artemis 2 Orion is headed for a high orbit.<\/p>\n NASA’s Orion spacecraft has successfully performed a perigee raise burn to raise its orbit into a wide swinging path around Earth that takes it on a loop that comes with 115 miles of Earth at its closest point and 1,381 miles at its farthest.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The burn is one of several maneuvers Orion and its ICPS upper stage will perform before separating for rendevous operations later tonight.<\/p>\n NASA will also hold a press conference for post-launch at 8 p.m. EDT (0000 April 2 GMT) tonight. We’ll have that live on this channel.<\/p>\n Tariq Malik<\/p>\n Editor-in-Chief, Space.com<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T23:18:12.148Z \n An artist’s illustration of NASA’s Orion crew capsule heading to the moon. (Image credit: NASA)<\/p>\n Now in the vacuum of space, the Orion spacecraft<\/a> has successfully unfurled its four solar arrays, which will power the spacecraft through the rest of the Artemis 2 mission<\/a>. Orion’s solar arrays provide more than 11 kilowatts of energy to the spacecraft \u2014 about the equivalent needed to provide electricity for two houses.<\/p>\n “We see four SAWs deployed and latched,” Orion commander Reid Wiseman radioed to mission control as it occurred.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The crew is now preparing for a perigee raise burn to reach a higher orbit.<\/p>\n The solar array wings are on the European Service Module on Orion, which is provided by the European Space Agency. It powers the Orion spacecraft for the duration of its mission, with four panels arranged in an X-wing like configuration.<\/p>\n Tariq Malik<\/p>\n Editor-in-Chief, Space.com<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T22:47:37.869Z The two solid rocket boosters powering SLS’s ascent have separated and safely propelled themselves away from the rocket’s care stage. At liftoff, the rocket’s solid rockets provide more than 75% of the vehicle’s power, which, combined with SLS’ four RS-25 engines, create more than 8 million pounds of thrust.<\/p>\n Orion’s launch abort system will separate about a minute after solid rocket booster separation, exposing the spacecraft to the vacuum of space for the first time. Next, SLS’ main stage will separate, and the rocket’s Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage will then carry Artemis 2 the rest of the way to orbit.<\/p>\n Josh Dinner<\/p>\n Spaceflight writer, Space.com<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T22:46:12.377Z The two solid rocket boosters powering SLS’s ascent have separated and safely propelled themselves away from the rocket’s care stage. At liftoff, the rocket’s solid rockets provide more than 75% of the vehicle’s power, which, combined with SLS’ four RS-25 engines, create more than 8 million pounds of thrust.<\/p>\n Orion’s launch abort system will separate about a minute after solid rocket booster separation, exposing the spacecraft to the vacuum of space for the first time. Next, SLS’ main stage will separate, and the rocket’s Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage will then carry Artemis 2 the rest of the way to orbit.<\/p>\n Josh Dinner<\/p>\n Spaceflight writer, Space.com<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T22:44:55.335Z \n NASA’s Space Launch System rocket launches the Artemis 2 mission on April 1, 2026. (Image credit: NASA)<\/p>\n Go SLS! Go Orion! Go Artemis 2!<\/p>\n NASA’s Artemis 2 rocket has cleared the tower! SLS is climbing into the atmosphere, carrying the Orion spacecraft and its four crew members to space. In the coming minutes, the rocket will pass through Max Q, the point of maximum dynamic pressure on the launch vehicle, and then begin shedding its stages as Orion and the astronauts fly closer to Earth orbit.<\/p>\n Josh Dinner<\/p>\n Spaceflight writer, Space.com<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T22:06:01.455Z The Artemis 2 team has determined that an unexpectedly high temperature reading for one of the two batteries for the Orion capsule’s launch-abort system was an instrumentation issue, which will not affect today’s planned launch. And there’s another piece of good news as we enter the final 20 minutes before liftoff.<\/p>\n “The weather continues to cooperate and has now been upgraded to 90% go for launch,” NASA officials wrote in an update<\/a>.<\/p>\n Mike Wall<\/p>\n Spaceflight and tech editor<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T21:39:27.377Z CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla — NASA is working a battery temperature issue on the Launch Abort System of the Artemis 2<\/a> rocket, with less than 1 hour remaining for today’s historic astronaut lanuch to the moon.<\/p>\n NASA commentator Derrol Nail said the issue just popped up as the weather forecast imporived to a promising 90% “go” for launch.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n “A temperature for one of the two LAS batteries is out of range. Although it’s not a constraint for launch right now, it would be if that temperature is checked inside of 6 minutes,” Nail said. “Right now, the team is working some troubleshooting on this issue.”<\/p>\n There was a loud groan throughout the NASA Press Site here at the Kennedy Space Center as Nail announced the issue.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, the closeout crew at the launch pad has pulled the White Room gantry clear of the Orion spacecraft <\/a>as they complete prelaunch checks before launch.<\/p>\n Tariq Malik<\/p>\n Editor-in-Chief, Space.com<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T20:44:10.999Z There still aren’t any problems with Artemis 2’s Space Launch System<\/a> (SLS) rocket or Orion capsule in the leadup to today’s planned launch, but something has cropped up: NASA just announced that the Eastern Range, the Atlantic range managed by the U.S. Space Force, is currently working a flight termination system (FTS) issue.<\/p>\n The FTS is a safety system designed to destroy a rocket if it veers off course during launch. All rockets have them. (Orion has its own emergency-escape system, which would jet the capsule and its crew to safety in the case of such an eventuality.) The Eastern Range is apparently investigating an issue that could affect the sending of an FTS signal to the SLS in an emergency scenario and has asked for assistance from the Artemis 2 launch team, according to NASA.<\/p>\n Mike Wall<\/p>\n Spaceflight and tech editor<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T20:31:28.549Z CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla — With the Artemis 2 astronauts<\/a> strapped inside their Orion spacecraft seats and the close out crew shutting the hatch, NASA’s big moon launch is starting to feel real.<\/p>\n Here at the Kennedy Space Center, the moon feels positive thoughout the press site and NASA has not reported any serious issues with the SLS rocket, Orion capsule or crew.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n That means Artemis 2 mission scientists are getting super excited. Their experiments are a step closer to reaching the moon. Here’s a look at all the science experiments flying to the moon on Artemis 2<\/a>.<\/p>\n The mission will test a space radiation shelter to protect astroanuts from solar storms in deep space. Each astronaut has an AVATAR tissue-on-a-chip twin to see how their DNA reacts to deep space travel. They’ll also test exercise gear for trips to the moon, not to mention all the imagery and photographs the crew will take of the moon themselves.<\/p>\n Tariq Malik<\/p>\n Editor-in-Chief, Space.com<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T19:18:42.479Z![\"Tariq](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/LV56aHQLyDH5FxvXQbQr5D.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\nFlight Day 3: Artemis 2 now closer to the moon than it is to EarthThe four Artemis 2 astronauts keep leaving Earth in the rear-view<\/p>\n![\"Visualization](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/WipLUNoiDP93a238YtQ3Td.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n![\"Mike](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ZPDn6oFDYv225oEF3MsXPi.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\nFlight Day 3: Artemis 2 astronauts will break Apollo 13 distance record at moon<\/p>\n![\"artemis](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/iUoQqVQboxLMPQhEx7FvPc.png\")
\n<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/e97z2jNmJcVJQdudZU5iJE.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\nFlight Day 3: Orion is SO on target for Artemis 2 moon flyby<\/p>\n![\"a](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/uRtPopjWjLXMH2AAEeiMqi.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\nFLIGHT DAY 3: Artemis 2 astronauts wake up on the way to the moonArtemis 2 astronauts wake up, get ready for another busy day<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\nFlight Day 3: Artemis 2 commander takes breathtaking photos of Earth from Orion<\/p>\n\n<\/p>\n![\"a](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/gx4prBAm9EMnYVBu3CztRb.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n
\n![\"Brett](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Wdc2pXR8n74SfTk8TfhFSe.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\nFlight Day 3: NASA’s Artemis 2 astronauts are now cruising to the moon<\/p>\n![\"four](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Pvpq7M7aSUEH5cGKyFdLb.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n
\nFlight day 2: Artemis 2 astronauts ‘doing great’ on the way to the moonArtemis 2 astronauts in good health, good spirits<\/p>\n
\nFlight Day 2: Artemis 2 Orion headed to moon after TLI burn!<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/ymxG2HFBKXBRW563JfNMQV.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\nFlight Day 2: IGNITION! Artemis 2 begins translunar injection burn<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\nFlight Day 2: Artemis 2 crew ready for critical burn for moon<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\nFlight Day 2: 1 hour until Artemis 2 trans-lunar injection burn<\/p>\n![\"Artemis](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/7cfKztazvA98uQcZSdVzLJ.png\")
\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\nFlight Day 2: Artemis 2 astronauts set up new exercise device<\/p>\n![\"a](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/gaqYKmgTUCRdcsGkNWAq25.png\")
\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\nFlight Day 2: NASA is ‘GO’ to send Artemis 2 to the moon<\/p>\n![\"an](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2qtRCWTxyWJ3CuXUD6ij4G.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\nArtemis 2 flight day 2 officially begins as crew prepares for critical engine burn<\/p>\n![\"an](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/RfUqoR4nUZxELg2wBVu6Wc.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n
\nArtemis 2 aces another maneuver, prepares to head for the moon<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/bjDEbvpz6bWCfKTxHyh2vW.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n
\nArtemis 2’s Orion capsule conducts perigee-raising engine burn<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\nRelive Artemis 2’s launch in stunning photos<\/p>\n![\"a](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/bq7uFkZBLVGybjx39qUC6h.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n![\"a](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/ic6FgXWJFhuTWb4swWC54m.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\nArtemis 2 astronauts prepare for sleep: ‘Goodnight, Earth’<\/p>\n![\"an](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/U5WZUZzfQJ9ZohDQKHMveW.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n
\nAfter launch success, Artemis 2 faces make-or-break moment today<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\n11:37 p.m. EDT | Orion capsule backs away from upper stageArtemis 2 astronauts manually fly Orion, tackle toilet trouble<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\nArtemis 2 Orion spacecraft separates from upper stage, begins flying on its own<\/p>\n![\"a](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/gtXvrrpvHivwUHk2rBQivc.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\n9:05 p.m. EDT | Artemis 2 Orion aces another key engine burnArtemis 2’s Orion capsule conducts apogee-raising engine burn<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\n8:05 p.m. EDT | NASA holding Artemis 2 postlaunch briefingArtemis 2 postlaunch press conference expected to start at 8:05 p.m. ET<\/p>\n
\n7:26 p.m. EDT | Orion capsule aces perigee raise burnArtemis 2 Orion spacecraft raises orbit above Earth<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\n7:13 p.m. EDT | Artemis 2 Orion solar wings deployOrion spacecraft deploys its four solar wings<\/p>\n![\"An](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/BupVfi64bPD97aAZD3YSGQ.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\nBooster separation<\/p>\n![\"Josh](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/4zNP3rgAgSsxHQPMRukgUD.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\nBooster separation<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\nLiftoff! NASA launches historic Artemis 2 mission to the moon<\/p>\n![\"a](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/hUo7gpwWdogUnBZrYHCRZ7.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\n6:01 pm EDT | T-23 minutes to Artemis 2 launchArtemis 2 team closes out issue with launch-abort system battery<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\n5:33 pm EDT | T-49 minutes to Artemis 2 launchNASA eyes Launch Abort System battery issue, weather improves<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\n4:34 p.m. EDT | T-1 hour, 50 minutes to Artemis 2 launchEastern Range working issue with Artemis 2 flight termination system<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\n4:24 p.m. EDT | T-1 hour, 59 minutes to Artemis 2 launchWhat will Artemis 2 will teach us about the moon?<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\n3:10 p.m. EDT | T-3 hours 13 minutes to Artemis 2 launchAll Artemis 2 astronauts are inside their spacecraft<\/p>\n