From Delays to Liftoff: How Artemis II Finally Made It to Space

On April 1, NASA made history.

The Artemis II mission lifted off from Kennedy Space Center, carrying four astronauts on a 10-day journey around the Moon -- the first crewed lunar voyage since Apollo 17 in 1972, and the boldest step yet in humanity's return to deep space.

What is the Artemis II mission? 

Artemis II is NASA's first crewed flight of its Space Launch System rocket and Orion capsule. The crew won't land on the Moon but will orbit it, stress-testing systems essential for future lunar landings.

Why was Artemis II delayed so many times?

Multiple setbacks pushed the launch back repeatedly. According to NASA, these included a hydrogen fuel leak during a wet dress rehearsal, a helium leak, and a last-minute battery fault in the Launch Abort System - all resolved before lift-off.

Who are the four astronauts on board?

Commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, and mission specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen make up the crew. Reportedly, Hansen has become the first Canadian ever to travel to the Moon.

What will the Artemis II crew actually do up there? 

The crew is currently in high Earth orbit running system checks. After manually piloting Orion near the spent rocket stage, they'll execute a Translunar Injection burn, beginning a four-day lunar flyby at roughly 8,000 kilometers altitude.

Will Artemis II land on the Moon?

No. This is a proving mission. A crewed lunar landing is planned for Artemis IV in 2028, targeting the Moon's south pole.

What Artemis missions come after this one? 

Artemis III (2027) will rehearse docking with lunar landers. According to NASA, SpaceX's Starship and Blue Origin's craft are both competing as commercial lander options for these missions. The human landing, first since 1972, for Artemis IV is projected to occur in 2028.

When did humans last visit the Moon? 

Apollo 17 landed in December 1972. According to NASA records, 24 astronauts have travelled to the Moon, 12 of whom walked on its surface.

Are other countries racing to the Moon too? 

Yes. China targets a lunar landing by 2030. India has set a goal of around 2040. Russia reportedly faces sanctions and technical hurdles. European and Japanese astronauts are set to join later Artemis missions.

(With inputs from yMedia)