From NBC News: NASA’s long-awaited Artemis II mission is set to launch four astronauts on a journey around the moon today. Liftoff is scheduled for 6:24 p.m. ET from Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida.
The crew — NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Christina Koch and Victor Glover and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen — will be the first people to launch toward the moon since the Apollo 17 mission in 1972, more than 50 years ago. The crew will also be the first astronauts that NASA’s giant Space Launch System rocket launches into space.
The 10-day mission does not include a lunar landing; rather, it is designed as a step toward a landing in 2028, and eventually, toward NASA’s goal of establishing a long-term presence on the moon and building a base there. When they circle the moon, the Artemis II crew members could reach a greater distance from Earth than anyone has before.
In a post on Truth Social, President Donald Trump wrote:
Tonight at 6:24 P.M. EST, for the first time in over 50 YEARS, America is going back to the Moon! Artemis II, among the most powerful rockets ever built, is launching our Brave Astronauts farther into Deep Space than any human has EVER gone.
We are WINNING, in Space, on Earth, and everywhere in between — Economically, Militarily, and now, BEYOND THE STARS. Nobody comes close! America doesn’t just compete, we DOMINATE, and the whole World is watching. God bless our incredible Astronauts, God bless NASA, and God bless the Greatest Nation ever to exist, the United States of America! President DONALD J. TRUMP
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 1, 2026
The four astronauts were seen suited up, ready to head to the launch pad.
The Artemis II astronauts, now suited up for launch, are headed to the launch pad.
The crew includes NASA astronauts @Astro_Reid, @AstroVicGlover, and @Astro_Christina, and @CSA_ASC astronaut @Astro_Jeremy. pic.twitter.com/G8mGsJPgcQ
— NASA (@NASA) April 1, 2026
Well-wishers were seen lining the highway in a patriotic “send-off” as the astronauts were driven to the launch pad.
A proper sendoff 🧑🚀
The Artemis II crew was driven to the launchpad ahead of their upcoming mission around the Moon. After checking their spacesuits and donning their helmets and gloves, the crew will settle into the Orion spacecraft. pic.twitter.com/QXJNKw6983
— NASA Artemis (@NASAArtemis) April 1, 2026
IT’S GO TIME: Astronaut Victor Glover points to the camera ahead of the Artemis II launch. pic.twitter.com/ejTSmEWacH
— Fox News (@FoxNews) April 1, 2026
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman announced, “The Artemis II crew is boarding Orion. Reid, Victor, Christina, and Jeremy are taking their seats atop the most powerful manned rocket ever built. They have trained for years for this moment, and now they are preparing to execute a mission that will take us back around the Moon and begin the next chapter of human space exploration.”
The Artemis II crew is boarding Orion.
Reid, Victor, Christina, and Jeremy are taking their seats atop the most powerful manned rocket ever built. They have trained for years for this moment, and now they are preparing to execute a mission that will take us back around the Moon… pic.twitter.com/kzwwdGSaAe
— NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman (@NASAAdmin) April 1, 2026
LIVE COVERAGE of preparations for the historic launch are streaming in the videos below:
The Artemis II astronauts are wearing a commemorative @Freedom250 patch for America’s 250th birthday 🇺🇸🚀 @NASA @NASASpox @NASAAdmin @NASAArtemis pic.twitter.com/J7sg7z5ETp
— Freedom 250 (@Freedom250) April 1, 2026
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