{"id":215321,"date":"2026-04-02T00:48:28","date_gmt":"2026-04-02T00:48:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/215321\/"},"modified":"2026-04-02T00:48:28","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T00:48:28","slug":"artemis-ii-astronauts-launch-on-historic-moonbound-mission-orlando-sentinel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/215321\/","title":{"rendered":"Artemis II astronauts launch on historic moonbound mission \u2013 Orlando Sentinel"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>KENNEDY SPACE CENTER \u2014 NASA  sent four astronauts to space Wednesday on the most powerful rocket to ever launch humans, flying the Artemis II mission that aims to hurtle them past the moon.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Artemis II astronauts, commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover and...\" class=\"size-article_inline\"   src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/tos-l-artemis-II-launch12089.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Artemis II astronauts, commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover and mission specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen, take off from Launch Complex 39B for their mission to the Moon, on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda\/ Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Artemis II astronauts, commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover and...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/tos-l-artemis-II-launch11964.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/tos-l-artemis-II-launch11964.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Artemis II astronauts, commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover and mission specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen, take off from Launch Complex 39B for their mission to the Moon, on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda\/ Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Artemis II astronauts, commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover and...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/tos-l-artemis-II-launch33216.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/tos-l-artemis-II-launch33216.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Artemis II astronauts, commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover and mission specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen, take off from Launch Complex 39B for their mission to the Moon, on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda\/ Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The solid rocket boosters separate during the launch of Artemis...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/tos-l-artemis-II-launch12482.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/tos-l-artemis-II-launch12482.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The solid rocket boosters separate during the launch of  Artemis II after take off from Launch Complex 39B for their mission to the Moon, on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda\/ Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Artemis II astronauts, commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover and...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/tos-l-artemis-II-launch12221.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/tos-l-artemis-II-launch12221.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Artemis II astronauts, commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover and mission specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen, take off from Launch Complex 39B for their mission to the Moon, on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda\/ Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Artemis II astronauts, commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover and...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/tos-l-artemis-II-launch12311.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/tos-l-artemis-II-launch12311.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Artemis II astronauts, commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover and mission specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen, take off from Launch Complex 39B for their mission to the Moon, on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda\/ Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Birds fly past Artemis II before take off from Launch...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/tos-l-artemis-II-launch11763.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/tos-l-artemis-II-launch11763.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Birds fly past Artemis II before take off from Launch Complex 39B, on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda\/ Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Artemis II astronauts, commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover and...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/tos-l-artemis-II-launch22966_d8fd04.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/tos-l-artemis-II-launch22966_d8fd04.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Artemis II astronauts, commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover and mission specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen, take off from Launch Complex 39B for their mission to the Moon, on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda\/ Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Artemis II astronauts, commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover and...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/tos-l-artemis-II-launch11953.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/tos-l-artemis-II-launch11953.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Artemis II astronauts, commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover and mission specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen, take off from Launch Complex 39B for their mission to the Moon, on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda\/ Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The crew access arm is retracted before the launch of...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/tos-l-artemis-II-launch11890.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/tos-l-artemis-II-launch11890.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The crew access arm is retracted before the launch of  Artemis II from Launch Complex 39B for their mission to the Moon, on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda\/ Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The Space Launch System rocket topped with the Orion capsule...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/TOS-L-Artemis-II-Launch-05.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/TOS-L-Artemis-II-Launch-05.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The Space Launch System rocket topped with the Orion capsule carrying the four astronauts of the Artemis II mission launches from Kennedy Space Center&#8217;s Launch Pad 39-B on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Richard Tribou\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The Space Launch System rocket topped with the Orion capsule...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/TOS-L-Artemis-II-Launch-02.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/TOS-L-Artemis-II-Launch-02.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The Space Launch System rocket topped with the Orion capsule carrying the four astronauts of the Artemis II mission launches from Kennedy Space Center&#8217;s Launch Pad 39-B on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Richard Tribou\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The Space Launch System rocket topped with the Orion capsule...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/TOS-L-Artemis-II-Launch-01.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/TOS-L-Artemis-II-Launch-01.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The Space Launch System rocket topped with the Orion capsule carrying the four astronauts of the Artemis II mission launches from Kennedy Space Center&#8217;s Launch Pad 39-B on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Roger Simmons\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The Space Launch System rocket topped with the Orion capsule...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/launch2-040126.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/launch2-040126.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The Space Launch System rocket topped with the Orion capsule carrying the four astronauts of the Artemis II mission launches from Kennedy Space Center&#8217;s Launch Pad 39-B on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Richard Tribou\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The Space Launch System rocket topped with the Orion capsule...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/TOS-L-Artemis-II-Launch-04.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/TOS-L-Artemis-II-Launch-04.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The Space Launch System rocket topped with the Orion capsule carrying the four astronauts of the Artemis II mission launches from Kennedy Space Center&#8217;s Launch Pad 39-B on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Richard Tribou\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The Space Launch System rocket topped with the Orion capsule...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/TOS-L-Artemis-II-KSC-Launch-02.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/TOS-L-Artemis-II-KSC-Launch-02.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The Space Launch System rocket topped with the Orion capsule carrying the four astronauts of the Artemis II mission sits on the pad at Kennedy Space Center just before launch on  Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Roger Simmons\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The Space Launch System rocket topped with the Orion capsule...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/TOS-L-Artemis-II-KSC-Launch-04.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/TOS-L-Artemis-II-KSC-Launch-04.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The Space Launch System rocket topped with the Orion capsule carrying the four astronauts of the Artemis II mission launches from Kennedy Space Center&#8217;s Launch Pad 39-B on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Roger Simmons\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The Space Launch System rocket topped with the Orion capsule...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/TOS-L-Artemis-II-KSC-Launch-06.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/TOS-L-Artemis-II-KSC-Launch-06.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The Space Launch System rocket topped with the Orion capsule carrying the four astronauts of the Artemis II mission launches from Kennedy Space Center&#8217;s Launch Pad 39-B on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Roger Simmons\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The Space Launch System rocket topped with the Orion capsule...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/TOS-L-Artemis-II-KSC-Launch-08.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/TOS-L-Artemis-II-KSC-Launch-08.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The Space Launch System rocket topped with the Orion capsule carrying the four astronauts of the Artemis II mission launches from Kennedy Space Center&#8217;s Launch Pad 39-B on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Roger Simmons\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The Space Launch System rocket topped with the Orion capsule...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/TOS-L-Artemis-II-KSC-Launch-09.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/TOS-L-Artemis-II-KSC-Launch-09.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The Space Launch System rocket topped with the Orion capsule carrying the four astronauts of the Artemis II mission launches from Kennedy Space Center&#8217;s Launch Pad 39-B on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Roger Simmons\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The Space Launch System rocket topped with the Orion capsule...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/TOS-L-Artemis-II-KSC-Launch-12.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/TOS-L-Artemis-II-KSC-Launch-12.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The Space Launch System rocket topped with the Orion capsule carrying the four astronauts of the Artemis II mission launches from Kennedy Space Center&#8217;s Launch Pad 39-B on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Roger Simmons\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"A massive plume is seen after the Space Launch System...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/TOS-L-Artemis-II-KSC-Launch-14.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/TOS-L-Artemis-II-KSC-Launch-14.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>A massive plume is seen after the Space Launch System rocket topped with the Orion capsule carrying the four astronauts of the Artemis II mission launched from Kennedy Space Center&#8217;s Launch Pad 39-B on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Roger Simmons\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The Space Launch System rocket topped with the Orion capsule...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/TOS-L-Artemis-II-KSC-Launch-05.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/TOS-L-Artemis-II-KSC-Launch-05.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The Space Launch System rocket topped with the Orion capsule carrying the four astronauts of the Artemis II mission launches from Kennedy Space Center&#8217;s Launch Pad 39-B on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Roger Simmons\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The Space Launch System rocket topped with the Orion capsule...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/TOS-L-Artemis-II-KSC-Launch-10.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/TOS-L-Artemis-II-KSC-Launch-10.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The Space Launch System rocket topped with the Orion capsule carrying the four astronauts of the Artemis II mission launches from Kennedy Space Center&#8217;s Launch Pad 39-B on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Roger Simmons\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The Space Launch System rocket topped with the Orion capsule...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/TOS-L-Artemis-II-KSC-Launch-11.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/TOS-L-Artemis-II-KSC-Launch-11.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The Space Launch System rocket topped with the Orion capsule carrying the four astronauts of the Artemis II mission launches from Kennedy Space Center&#8217;s Launch Pad 39-B on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Roger Simmons\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The Space Launch System rocket topped with the Orion capsule...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/TOS-L-Artemis-II-KSC-Launch-13.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/TOS-L-Artemis-II-KSC-Launch-13.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The Space Launch System rocket topped with the Orion capsule carrying the four astronauts of the Artemis II mission launches from Kennedy Space Center&#8217;s Launch Pad 39-B on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Roger Simmons\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The Space Launch System rocket topped with the Orion capsule...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/TOS-L-Artemis-II-KSC-Launch-01.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/TOS-L-Artemis-II-KSC-Launch-01.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The Space Launch System rocket topped with the Orion capsule carrying the four astronauts of the Artemis II mission sits on the pad at Kennedy Space Center just before launch on  Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Roger Simmons\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The Space Launch System rocket topped with the Orion capsule...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/TOS-L-Artemis-II-KSC-Launch-07.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/TOS-L-Artemis-II-KSC-Launch-07.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The Space Launch System rocket topped with the Orion capsule carrying the four astronauts of the Artemis II mission launches from Kennedy Space Center&#8217;s Launch Pad 39-B on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Roger Simmons\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The Space Launch System rocket topped with the Orion capsule...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/TOS-L-Artemis-II-KSC-Launch-03.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/TOS-L-Artemis-II-KSC-Launch-03.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The Space Launch System rocket topped with the Orion capsule carrying the four astronauts of the Artemis II mission launches from Kennedy Space Center&#8217;s Launch Pad 39-B on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Roger Simmons\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n<p>Show Caption<\/p>\n<p>1 of 29<\/p>\n<p>Artemis II astronauts, commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover and mission specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen, take off from Launch Complex 39B for their mission to the Moon, on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda\/ Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#\" class=\"icon-enlarge mng-gallery-fullscreen-expand\" aria-label=\"Expand fullscreen slideshow\">Expand<\/a><\/p>\n<p>The Space Launch System rocket with the Orion spacecraft named Integrity lifted off from KSC\u2019s Launch Pad 39-B at 6:35 p.m.<\/p>\n<p>The SLS blasted off the pad with 8.8 million pounds of thrust besting the power seen by the space shuttle and Apollo program\u2019s Saturn V rockets. Its rumble barreled over crowds gathered at KSC\u2019s press site drowning out cheers, hollers and the clicking sounds of cameras snapping away pictures of the liftoff.<\/p>\n<p>Minutes later, the crew made it to space.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe have a beautiful moonrise and we\u2019re headed right for it,\u201d said NASA commander Reid Wiseman.<\/p>\n<p>Wiseman is traveling with fellow NASA astronauts Victor Glover and Christina Koch as well as Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen.<\/p>\n<p>Astronaut Nichole Ayers, who flew to space on Crew-10 in 2025, was part of the NASA broadcast team and became emotional after liftoff having witnessed the launch surrounded by an exhilarated crowd.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe energy was wonderful,\u201d she said. \u201cWe\u2019ve got four friends and family members headed to the moon. It\u2019s pretty amazing. \u2026We don\u2019t have the words in the English language to describe this kind of event. Pride. Love. So many emotions. They are truly breaking some barriers.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.orlandosentinel.com\/2026\/04\/01\/artemis-ii-live-updates-astronauts-awake-9-hours-before-launch\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Artemis II live updates: Weather still 80% go for launch<\/a><\/p>\n<p>They are the first humans to fly on Orion, which had an uncrewed test flight in 2022 that orbited the moon. The quartet won\u2019t be on the same trajectory, simply flying by Earth\u2019s biggest satellite, and could  potentially break the record held by Apollo 13, flying farther from Earth than humans ever had.\n<\/p>\n<p>Also, Glover will be the first Black man, Koch the first woman and Hansen the first non-American to travel to deep space.<\/p>\n<p>Their 10-day mission will feature one day flying close to Earth to ensure Orion\u2019s life support systems work as planned. They will also use Orion\u2019s propulsion system during what NASA calls a proximity test, when it will circle the upper stage of the rocket after it separates from the spacecraft.<\/p>\n<p>It won\u2019t be until flight day 2 that they\u2019ll punch their moonbound ticket, arriving more than three days later. Their closest approach will come on flight day 6 flying within 4,000 to 6,000 miles from the moon. They could end up  252,799 miles from Earth, which exceeds Apollo 13\u2019s distance set in 1970 by 4,144 miles.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"From left, Artemis II mission specialist Jeremy Hansen, pilot Victor...\" class=\"size-article_inline\"   src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/tos-l-artemis-II-launch10920.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>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)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Artemis II pilot Victor Glover blows kisses to loved ones...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/tos-l-artemis-II-launch10813.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/tos-l-artemis-II-launch10813.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>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)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Artemis II mission specialists Jeremy Hansen and Christina Koch walk...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/tos-l-artemis-II-launch10829.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/tos-l-artemis-II-launch10829.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>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)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Artemis II commander Reid Wiseman poses for photos during the...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/tos-l-artemis-II-launch10850.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/tos-l-artemis-II-launch10850.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>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)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"From left, The Artemis II crew mission specialist Jeremy Hansen,...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/tos-l-artemis-II-launch21276.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/tos-l-artemis-II-launch21276.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>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)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"From left, The Artemis II crew mission specialist Jeremy Hansen,...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1775090878_961_tos-l-artemis-II-launch10390.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1775090878_961_tos-l-artemis-II-launch10390.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>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)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Artemis II commander Reid Wiseman talks with loved ones during...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/tos-l-artemis-II-launch10767.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/tos-l-artemis-II-launch10767.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>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)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Artemis II mission specialist Christina Koch talks with loved ones...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1775090884_430_tos-l-artemis-II-launch10749.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1775090884_430_tos-l-artemis-II-launch10749.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>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)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Artemis II pilot Victor Glover talks with loved ones during...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1775090887_574_tos-l-artemis-II-launch10636.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1775090887_574_tos-l-artemis-II-launch10636.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>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)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Artemis II mission specialist Jeremy Hansen talks with loved ones...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/tos-l-artemis-II-launch10818.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/tos-l-artemis-II-launch10818.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>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)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Artemis II pilot Victor Glover talks with loved ones during...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/tos-l-artemis-II-launch10659.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/tos-l-artemis-II-launch10659.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>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)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Astronaut Michael Barratt takes a photo of Victor Glover\u00e2\u0080\u0099s family...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1775090893_790_tos-l-artemis-II-launch10246.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1775090893_790_tos-l-artemis-II-launch10246.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Astronaut Michael Barratt takes a photo of Victor Glover\u2019s 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)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"From left, The Artemis II crew mission specialist Jeremy Hansen,...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/tos-l-artemis-II-launch10304.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/tos-l-artemis-II-launch10304.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>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)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman smiles while waiting for the Artemis...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/tos-l-artemis-II-launch10263.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/tos-l-artemis-II-launch10263.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman smiles while waiting for the Artemis II crew walkout, on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda\/ Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"From left, The Artemis II crew mission specialist Jeremy Hansen,...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1775090899_246_tos-l-artemis-II-launch21332.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1775090899_246_tos-l-artemis-II-launch21332.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>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)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Retired astronaut Scott Kelly attends the Artemis II crew walkout,...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1775090901_315_tos-l-artemis-II-launch10147.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1775090901_315_tos-l-artemis-II-launch10147.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Retired astronaut Scott Kelly attends the Artemis II crew walkout, on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda\/ Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Senator and former astronaut Mark Kelly talks to the media...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/tos-l-artemis-II-launch10078.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/tos-l-artemis-II-launch10078.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>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)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Chief of the NASA Astronaut Office Scott Tingle gives Artemis...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/cardgame-1.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/cardgame-1.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Chief of the NASA Astronaut Office Scott Tingle gives Artemis II commander Reid Wiseman a celebratory high five after completing a traditional card game before the astronauts head out to the launch pad. (NASA)\n<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The four Artemis II astronauts make their way outside the...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/walkhout1.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/walkhout1.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The four Artemis II astronauts make their way outside the Neil A. Armstrong Operations &amp; Checkout Building to climb into a van to take them to the pad. (Courtesy\/NASA)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Astronauts for the Artemis II moon flyby mission -- Commander...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/tos-l-astrovan-ksc-02.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/tos-l-astrovan-ksc-02.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Astronauts for the Artemis II moon flyby mission &#8212; Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover and Mission Specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen &#8212; pass by the Vehicle Assembly Building on their way to the launch pad for their  scheduled launch on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Roger Simmons\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Astronauts for the Artemis II moon flyby mission -- Commander...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/tos-l-astrovan-ksc-03.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/tos-l-astrovan-ksc-03.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Astronauts for the Artemis II moon flyby mission &#8212; Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover and Mission Specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen &#8212; pass by the Vehicle Assembly Building on their way to the launch pad for their  scheduled launch on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Roger Simmons\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Astronauts for the Artemis II moon flyby mission -- Commander...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/tos-l-astrovan-ksc-01.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/tos-l-astrovan-ksc-01.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Astronauts for the Artemis II moon flyby mission &#8212; Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover and Mission Specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen &#8212; pass by the Vehicle Assembly Building on their way to the launch pad for their  scheduled launch on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Roger Simmons\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The Artemis II astronauts ride in the Astrovan on their...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/artemisvan2.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/artemisvan2.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The Artemis II astronauts ride in the Astrovan on their way to Kennedy Space Center&#8217;s Launch Pad 39-B passing by waving crowds lined up near the Vehicle Assembly Building on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Richard Tribou\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The Artemis II astronauts ride in the Astrovan on their...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/artemisvan1.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/artemisvan1.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The Artemis II astronauts ride in the Astrovan on their way to Kennedy Space Center&#8217;s Launch Pad 39-B passing by waving crowds lined up near the Vehicle Assembly Building on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Richard Tribou\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"NASA's Artermis II moon rocket sits on Launch Pad 39-B...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/tos-l-NASA-Artemis-Moonshot_261188684.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/tos-l-NASA-Artemis-Moonshot_261188684.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>NASA&#8217;s Artermis II moon rocket sits on Launch Pad 39-B at the Kennedy Space Center hours ahead of a planned launch attempt Wednesday in Cape Canaveral. NASA aims to launch four astronauts on the Artemis II mission for a 10-day trip that will fly by the moon sending humans into deep space for the first time in more than half a century. The Space Launch System rocket topped by the Orion spacecraft targeted liftoff during a two-hour window that opened at 6:24 p.m. Wednesday. (Chris O&#8217;Meara\/The Associated Press)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"NASA astronauts Victor Glover, left, and Reid Wiseman, right get...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/suitup-1-1.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/suitup-1-1.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>NASA astronauts Victor Glover, left, and Reid Wiseman, right get suited up ahead of their trip to the launch pad for the Artemis II mission on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (NASA)\n<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The countdown clock ticks down on launch day Wednesday, April...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/countdownclock0401-1.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/countdownclock0401-1.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The countdown clock ticks down on launch day Wednesday, April 1, 2026 as NASA tries to get its Artemis II mission of the ground. (Richard Tribou\/Orlando Sentinel(\n<\/p>\n<p>Show Caption<\/p>\n<p>1 of 27<\/p>\n<p>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)<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#\" class=\"icon-enlarge mng-gallery-fullscreen-expand\" aria-label=\"Expand fullscreen slideshow\">Expand<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Ahead of the launch, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman laid out what he thinks is most important about the mission: Seeing Orion return in 10 days with a parachute-assisted landing in the Pacific Ocean.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAfter ignition, to me, the moment that I\u2019m going to be most excited for is splashdown. There\u2019s no question about that. Good chutes coming down off the West Coast,\u201d he said. \u201cI think the takeaway from this is gaining extreme comfort in the Orion spacecraft\u2026. This is very different than what we\u2019ve done for more than a half century.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>He mentioned the extremes the astronauts will have to endure on the way back in.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe velocities that that spacecraft is going to reenter at, it\u2019s going to be new territory for us. We want to get our arms around that completely. So I would say the performance of SLS plus Orion is everything on this one,\u201d he said. \u201cWe want to make sure we do it in as safe way as we possibly can, understanding what we are undertaking right here. Bring our crew back, learn as much we can from the vehicle, set up for Artemis III in 2027.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201c]<\/p>\n<p>The leadup to launch was without much drama, unlike the series of delays and scrubs seen during the Artemis I mission four years ago.<\/p>\n<p>Weather remained clear for launch, which came only 11 minutes later than the original target.\n<\/p>\n<p>\u201cReid, Victor, Christina and Jeremy, on this historic mission, you take with you the heart of this Artemis team, the daring spirit of the American people and our partners across the globe, and the hopes and dreams of a new generation. Good luck. Godspeed Artemis II. Let\u2019s go,\u201d Artemis Launch Director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson said.<\/p>\n<p>Propellant load began before 9 a.m. and teams had no issues loading both the core and upper stages with the 755,000 gallons of liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen. The quartet  were suited up at KSC\u2019s Operations &amp; Checkout Building, and headed to the pad. By 3:30 p.m. they had taken their last breaths of fresh air donning helmets and taking up their seats in the capsule.<\/p>\n<p>During the mission, the astronauts\u2019 proximity to the moon will mostly be devoted to visual observations of the far side, some of which has never been seen by human eyes before, while also taking photos and videos.<\/p>\n<p>The main purpose of Artemis II is the prove out Orion\u2019s safety for human passengers and set up future Artemis mission.<\/p>\n<p>U.S. Rep. Mike Haridopolos, who represents the Space Coast, was at KSC, heading down to wave at the astronauts as they drove by the press site in front of the Vehicle Assembly Building.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cArtemis II is the linchpin,\u201d he said. \u201cThis is a progression, just like we did with the Apollo program. We need to gear up before we land on the moon, and this will be a great dress rehearsal as we get geared up for that.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Artemis III was recently changed to be a mission close to Earth, aiming to launch as early as mid 2027, during which astronauts will perform docking operations with one or both of NASA\u2019s two commercial lunar lander providers. Both SpaceX and Blue Origin are working to complete usable versions of their landers in time to launch for that mission.<\/p>\n<p>It won\u2019t be until Artemis IV targeting early 2028 and Artemis V potentially by late 2028 that NASA will be sending astronauts to the lunar surface. No human has set foot on the moon since the end of the Apollo 17 mission in 1972.<\/p>\n<p>Only four of the 12 men who ever walked on the moon are still alive, and it will have been at least 55 years between missions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"KENNEDY SPACE CENTER \u2014 NASA sent four astronauts to space Wednesday on the most powerful rocket to ever&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":215322,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[16924,114,11969,115,139,141,140,554,109,76686,1769],"class_list":{"0":"post-215321","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-orlando","8":"tag-artemis","9":"tag-latest-headlines","10":"tag-nasa","11":"tag-news","12":"tag-orlando","13":"tag-orlando-headlines","14":"tag-orlando-news","15":"tag-science","16":"tag-social","17":"tag-social-business","18":"tag-space"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/215321","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=215321"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/215321\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/215322"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=215321"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=215321"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=215321"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}