It has been almost 50 years since astronauts last walked on the lunar surface during the Apollo program. With the Artemis mission, NASA looks to revisit the Moon and pave the way for a diverse and inclusive future in space exploration. The space agency aims to accomplish a series of firsts, including landing the first woman and the first person of color on the lunar surface.
All about NASA’s Artemis missions at the Kennedy Space Center
NASA's Artemis mission is set to unveil the next chapter of lunar exploration for the United States. The Artemis I mission had a successful liftoff from Launch Pad 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The second mission from the Artemis program is set to take off from the same historic spaceport.
Now at KSC: the Artemis II rocket is currently on the launch pad, offering you a limited-time chance to see it up close.
Here's how you can get closer to the rocket:
- Bus Tour (included with admission): You might be able to spot the rocket from the launch area as you pass by | Book here
- KSC Explore Tour: Get a closer look with a stop at the A/B Camera viewing point | Book here
- Small Group VIP Experience: Enjoy a more exclusive, small-group setting with enhanced viewing opportunities | Book here
Please note: Viewing opportunities are not guaranteed and depend on launch operations.
About the Artemis missions
Artemis I
Artemis I was the first of the Artemis series of missions that was launched from Kennedy Space Center. It was the first integrated flight test of NASA’s Deep Space Exploration Systems – the Orion spacecraft, SLS rocket, and the supporting ground systems. Artemis I tested the safety and performance in deep space of the uncrewed Orion spacecraft. The Orion orbited the Moon about 44,000 miles from its surface on a 25.5-day flight.
Launch date: Nov. 16, 2022
Launch location: Kennedy Space Center
Mission duration: 25 days, 10 hours, 53 minutes
Total distance traveled: 1.4 million miles
Re-entry speed: 24,581 mph (Mach 32)
Splashdown: Dec. 11, 2022
Artemis II
Artemis II will be the first crewed mission in NASA’s Artemis program, sending four astronauts on a 10-day journey around the Moon to test the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft in deep space. The flight will demonstrate a broad range of capabilities needed on deep space missions. This mission will pave the way to land the first woman on the Moon.
While the mission won’t include a lunar landing, Artemis II will gather critical data on spacecraft systems, life-support, and crew operations that will enable NASA’s return to the Moon and eventual missions to Mars.
Mission type: Crewed lunar flyby
Crew Size: 4
Launch: No earlier than April 2026
Launch location: Kennedy Space Center
Mission duration: 10 days
Meet the astronauts of the Artemis II mission
Reid Wiseman
Role: Commander
Selected as a NASA astronaut in 2009, Reid Wiseman is assigned as commander of NASA’s Artemis II mission to the moon. He has previously served as Flight Engineer aboard the International Space Station for Expedition 41.
Victor Glover
Role: Pilot
Victor J. Glover has been assigned as the pilot of NASA’s Artemis II mission. Selected as a NASA astronaut in 2013, he previously served as the pilot of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-1 mission to the International Space Station as part of Expedition 64.
Christina Hammock Koch
Role: Mission Specialist
Selected as a mission specialist for the Artemis II mission, Christina Hammock Koch has contributed to scientific instruments on several NASA space science missions in the past. She was selected as an astronaut by NASA in 2013. Koch has set a record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman with a total of 328 days in space.
Jeremy Hansen
Role: Mission Specialist
Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen has been assigned as a mission specialist on theArtemis II mission to the Moon. This will make him the first Canadian to ever venture to the Moon. He was the first Canadian to be entrusted with leading a NASA astronaut class.
Why is the Artemis mission important?
Man’s fascination with the Moon has aided centuries of scientific discoveries and advances. From astronomy, to space exploration, humans have tried it all. The Artemis mission aims to build on this foundation to further advance scientific discovery, economic benefits, and inspire a new generation of space explorers.
If successful, the Artemis mission can help humans learn more about the Moon in a couple of decades than it did for centuries. This includes finding out how much water is on the Moon and why that is important for future exploration, along with creating the possibility of growing a lunar economy.
Frequently asked questions about the Artemis missions
Artemis is NASA’s crewed spaceflight program. It is intended to return astronauts to the Moon for the first time since 1972.
The Artemis missions began in 2017.
Artemis I was launched in 2022. The next in line is Artemis II which is expected to be launched no earlier than September 2025.
The astronauts going to the Moon on Artemis II are Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Hammock Koch and Jeremy Hansen.
The Artemis mission will span approximately 10 days.
NASA has said it is going back to the Moon for scientific discovery, economic benefits, and inspiration for a new generation of explorers.
NASA's spending on the Artemis program is projected to reach a total of $93 billion by 2025, according to an audit by the NASA Office of Inspector General.
The Artemis missions were supported by thousands of people around the world, from contractors who built the spacecraft and rocket, to international and university partners, to small businesses.
Yes, NASA aims to send humans to the Moon again for the first time since 1972 with its Artemis missions.
During the nine Apollo missions NASA, 24 American astronauts went to the Moon, and 12 of these astronauts have walked on it.
More than 50 years ago, NASA sent the first humans to the lunar surface under the Apollo program. Now, NASA is set to send the first woman and first person of color to the Moon as part of the Artemis program.
NASA’s Artemis I was launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex provides the closest public viewing of rocket launches with live commentary from space experts.
NASA is set to launch from Kennedy Space Center no earlier than September 2025.
