Artemis II, NASA's most daring mission in generations, launches to the Moon
The engines and boosters collectively generated 8.8 million pounds of thrust, outclassing NASA’s Saturn V rocket used for Apollo lunar missions. Astronauts last left the Moon in 1972, and no one has been back since.
4/2/2026, 10:19:08 AM · 2 sources · 2 articles
Last updated: 4/27/2026, 1:50:09 PM
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- If the mission goes according to plan, the astronauts will reach a distance of 252,799 miles (406,840 kilometers) from Earth on Monday, April 6, farther than anyone has ever traveled from our cosmic oasis. The engines and boosters collectively generated 8.8 million pounds of thrust, outclassing NASA’s Saturn V rocket used for Apollo lunar missions.Ars Technica
- Splashdown is planned for April 11, after which focus will turn to Artemis III and the lunar landing mission, Artemis IV. NASA administrator Jared Isaacman said that Artemis III, which will test lunar landing technology, will go ahead in 2027, and the Artemis IV landing is planned for 2028.The Register