NASA is shooting for the moon. A guide to the Artemis II mission
Why it matters: The Artemis II mission is a crucial step for NASA's long-term goal of establishing a human presence on the moon.
- Artemis II will be humanity's first crewed mission to the moon since 1972, a quick out-and-back lasting less than 10 days.
- The crew consists of Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen, making history with the first woman, person of color, and non-American to travel to the moon.
- Christina Koch already holds the record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman, adding to the mission's historic significance.
- This mission is a critical practice flight before NASA aims for more extensive lunar exploration and eventual settlement.
NASA's Artemis II mission marks humanity's first crewed lunar flight since 1972, sending four astronauts on a quick fly-around beyond the moon and back. This diverse international crew, including the first woman, person of color, and non-American to visit the moon, represents a crucial step toward establishing a sustained human presence on the lunar surface.
