The four Artemis II astronauts headed to Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Pad 39-B on Wednesday, April 1, 2026 to climb aboard the Orion spacecraft atop the Space Launch System rocket attempting to take off on a 10-day mission that will fly around the moon.
From left, Artemis II mission specialist Jeremy Hansen, pilot Victor Glover, mission specialist Christina Koch and commander Reid Wiseman walk out on the way to Launch Complex 39B for their mission to the Moon, on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/ Orlando Sentinel)
Artemis II pilot Victor Glover blows kisses to loved ones during the walk out on the way to Launch Complex 39B for their mission to the Moon, on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/ Orlando Sentinel)
Artemis II mission specialists Jeremy Hansen and Christina Koch walk out on the way to Launch Complex 39B for their mission to the Moon, on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/ Orlando Sentinel)
Artemis II commander Reid Wiseman poses for photos during the walk out on the way to Launch Complex 39B for their mission to the Moon, on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/ Orlando Sentinel)
From left, The Artemis II crew mission specialist Jeremy Hansen, pilot Victor Glover, commander Reid Wiseman and mission specialist Christina Koch wave as they walk out on the way to Launch Complex 39B for their mission to the Moon, on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/ Orlando Sentinel)
From left, The Artemis II crew mission specialist Jeremy Hansen, pilot Victor Glover, commander Reid Wiseman and mission specialist Christina Koch walk out on the way to Launch Complex 39B for their mission to the Moon, on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/ Orlando Sentinel)
Artemis II commander Reid Wiseman talks with loved ones during the walk out on the way to Launch Complex 39B for their mission to the Moon, on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/ Orlando Sentinel)
Artemis II mission specialist Christina Koch talks with loved ones during the walk out on the way to Launch Complex 39B for their mission to the Moon, on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/ Orlando Sentinel)
Artemis II pilot Victor Glover talks with loved ones during the walk out on the way to Launch Complex 39B for their mission to the Moon, on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/ Orlando Sentinel)
Artemis II mission specialist Jeremy Hansen talks with loved ones during the walk out on the way to Launch Complex 39B for their mission to the Moon, on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/ Orlando Sentinel)
Artemis II pilot Victor Glover talks with loved ones during the walk out on the way to Launch Complex 39B for their mission to the Moon, on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/ Orlando Sentinel)
Astronaut Michael Barratt takes a photo of Victor Glover’s family before the Artemis II crew walks out on their way to Launch Complex 39B for their mission to the Moon, on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/ Orlando Sentinel)
From left, The Artemis II crew mission specialist Jeremy Hansen, pilot Victor Glover, commander Reid Wiseman and mission specialist Christina Koch pose for photos as they walk out on the way to Launch Complex 39B for their mission to the Moon, on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/ Orlando Sentinel)
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman smiles while waiting for the Artemis II crew walkout, on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/ Orlando Sentinel)
From left, The Artemis II crew mission specialist Jeremy Hansen, pilot Victor Glover, commander Reid Wiseman and mission specialist Christina Koch pose for photos as they walk out on the way to Launch Complex 39B for their mission to the Moon, on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/ Orlando Sentinel)
Retired astronaut Scott Kelly attends the Artemis II crew walkout, on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/ Orlando Sentinel)
Senator and former astronaut Mark Kelly talks to the media before the Artemis II crew walks out, on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/ Orlando Sentinel)
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From left, Artemis II mission specialist Jeremy Hansen, pilot Victor Glover, mission specialist Christina Koch and commander Reid Wiseman walk out on the way to Launch Complex 39B for their mission to the Moon, on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/ Orlando Sentinel)