Nasa Artemis 2 Moon Mission Launch Live Updates: Nasa's Orion spacecraft separates successfully, Artemis II crew begins manual flight test

From liftoff to lunar prep: Artemis II’s journey so far

As the Artemis II crew gets some rest, the mission has already marked several key milestones since launch.

The rocket’s liftoff was a powerful moment, with its force felt on the ground as it carried four astronauts into the sky. While visually spectacular, the launch phase saw minor hiccups, including issues with the Launch Abort System that were quickly resolved. A technical glitch with the onboard toilet has also since been fixed and cleared for use.

Once in orbit, the crew completed initial system checks before attempting to sleep—no easy task, as experts note, given the conditions of spaceflight. Upon waking, astronauts reported the cabin felt “very cold,” though they also described views of Earth as “phenomenal” and “spectacular.”

A major step followed with the successful perigee raise burn, a crucial manoeuvre that lifts the spacecraft’s lowest orbital point and sets it on course for its journey towards the Moon.

With key systems verified, the crew has now returned to their vertical sleeping bags for another rest period, with Commander Reid Wiseman signing off: “Goodnight Earth.”

‘Spectacular’: Artemis II commander describes view of Earth

We've just heard from Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman as the crew do their last checks before going back to sleep.

"We just didn't want to let you go without saying that the view out of window three, from about 38,000 nautical miles, the entire half of the earth is spectacular," Wiseman said, as quoted by BBC.

"I love to hear that so much Reid, so glad you guys are getting to experience it," the control room replies.

The menu for the crew on Artemis II

Astronauts on the Artemis II mission will follow a structured meal schedule, with designated time for breakfast, lunch and dinner. According to NASA, the menu has been “designed to support crew health and performance.”

The mission features 189 unique food items. Among the most common are tortillas, mango salad, spicy green beans and granola with blueberries.

The beverage list includes more than 10 options, ranging from coffee to a mango-peach smoothie and a strawberry breakfast drink. Each astronaut is allotted two beverages per day.

NASA said the Artemis II crew had direct input in selecting the menu, with their preferences balanced against nutritional needs and the limitations of the Orion spacecraft.

All food is specially designed for spaceflight—it must be easy to store, prepare and consume in microgravity, while minimising crumbs and waste. Fresh food is not included, as the spacecraft does not have refrigeration.

On board, astronauts will use Orion’s portable water dispenser to rehydrate meals and drinks, along with a briefcase-style food warmer to heat them before consumption.

'I’ve been waiting my whole life': Libby Jackson on Artemis II launch

Libby Jackson, head of space at London’s Science Museum, said she has been looking forward to this mission her “whole life.”

“I saw Apollo 10 in the Science Museum when I was young, and I've been working on this mission in my different roles over the years,” she told BBC Radio 5 Live.

Jackson, who previously served as the UK Space Agency’s head of space exploration, highlighted the astronauts’ preparation, noting they have been training extensively, including following a specific sleep schedule “for the past week or two.”

“I really can't quite believe that Artemis II is on its way,” she added. “This is the start of a new chapter.”

What will Artemis II do?

According to NASA, Artemis II builds on the success of the uncrewed Artemis I in 2022, and will demonstrate a broad range of capabilities needed on deep space missions. The Artemis II test flight will be NASA’s first mission with crew aboard the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket and Orion spacecraft.

Artemis II crew, mission control troubleshoot Oricon spacecraft's recurring toilet issue

The crew of Nasa's historic Artemis II mission, with support from mission control, successfully restored the Orion spacecraft's toilet system after it experienced a recurring issue following Wednesday’s launch (US local time) from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

"Ahead of the apogee raise burn on April 1, the Artemis II crew reported a blinking fault light and mission control teams successfully assessed the data and worked with the crew to troubleshoot and resolve the issue," the US space agency said in a statement. Read full story here

India's Shubhanshu Shukla hails Artemis II launch

Shubhanshu Shukla hailed the Artemis II launch on Thursday which sent 4 astronauts around the Moon, while recalling his humbling experience of "standing on those very grounds for the first time."

"I remember standing on those very grounds for the first time, feeling humbled by what it represents. It is the same ground from which Neil Armstrong began humanity’s first journey to the Moon. The same place where Peggy Whitson, the most experienced American astronaut and my commander, launched on her first mission to space. And today, it becomes the starting point for yet another chapter in our shared story of exploration," he said in a post on X. Read full story here

Goolge Doodle celebrates Artemis II launch

Europe to negotiate with Nasa for participation in future Moon missions: ESA

The European Space Agency will negotiate future participation in NASA missions after the US space agency revamped its lunar program, the ESA head told AFP Wednesday.

The US space agency announced recently it is suspending its so-called Gateway lunar orbital space station efforts in order to focus on building a base on the Moon's surface.

This left the European role in future exploration unclear. The ESA had an agreement with NASA for three astronaut flights to Gateway.

"The Gateway is postponed, therefore I will need to sit down with the administrator, that means Jared Isaacman, and the NASA team, to negotiate how these seats that have been earmarked for the Gateway can be utilized for the surface," ESA head Josef Aschbacher told AFP.

A German astronaut had been slated to fly first, followed by a French astronaut and later an Italian.

Aschbacher was speaking from the Kennedy Space Center, where phase two of the Artemis program proceeded Wednesday with a successful rocket launch of three Americans and one Canadian astronaut on a mission to fly around the Moon.

What Trump said on successful Artemis II launch

"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!" Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

Toilet trouble for Artemis 2 astronaut launch shortly after launch

Christina Koch, one of the four crew members, ran into trouble with the toilet, seconds after starting it up.

“The toilet shut down on its own, and I have a blinking amber fault light,” she told Mission Control. She was advised to use a handheld bag-and-funnel system for now — CCU, short for Collapsible Contingency Urinal — while flight controllers pondered how best to deal with the so-called lunar loo.

The toilet is located in the “floor” of the capsule, with a door and curtain for privacy. It’s an upgraded version of an experimental toilet that launched to the International Space Station in 2020. That station toilet is currently out of order; two others are working fine.

What's on to-do list for Artemis II crew

The four astronauts will remain in Earth’s orbit over the next day, carrying out checks and evaluations of the capsule.

Later tonight, once the rocket’s upper stage separates, the crew will manually guide the Orion spacecraft toward it in a docking rehearsal—an exercise designed to prepare for future lunar missions.

By tomorrow night, they are scheduled to ignite Orion’s main engine, breaking free from Earth’s gravity and beginning their journey toward the moon, roughly 248,000 miles away.

Artemis II: Orion spacecraft successfully separates from upper stage of rocket

Artemis II boosts to higher orbit, crew tackles toilet fix

One hour after launch, the SLS rocket's upper stage propelled the Orion capsule—named "Integrity"—and its four astronauts into a higher Earth orbit as they begin their 25-hour checkout phase before the lunar slingshot.

Commander Reid Wiseman radioed, "The sun is rising on Integrity," capturing the dawn view from space. Mission specialist Christina Koch took on a critical task: getting the spaceship's toilet operational for the 10-day flight, ensuring crew comfort en route to the Moon 248,000 miles away.

Artemis II crew reaches orbit after historic launch

The Artemis II crew has successfully reached preliminary orbit following their SLS rocket liftoff from Kennedy Space Centre.

Commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, mission specialist Christina Koch and Canada's Jeremy Hansen, NASA's most diverse lunar team, will circle Earth for about 25 hours to test systems. They will then fire Orion's engine for a slingshot trajectory toward the Moon, 248,000 miles away, in the first crewed deep space mission since Apollo.

Artemis II launches off successfully

NASA’s SLS rocket lifted off from Kennedy Space Center, carrying four astronauts on a historic lunar flyby in the first crewed Artemis mission. The smooth launch came after last-minute fixes to the battery and safety systems, clearing the path for deeper exploration of the Moon.

Nasa Artemis Rocket Launch Live: Artemis II cleared for launch after fixing battery issue

Nasa has given the green light for the Artemis II mission launch after resolving a battery issue believed to stem from instrumentation rather than the battery itself.

The fix ensures the crewed lunar flyby mission, targeting astronauts circling the Moon, meets all safety standards for its scheduled liftoff.

NASA clears rocket safety glitch; spectators cheer as Artemis II launch nears

NASA has resolved an unspecified issue with the Artemis II rocket's flight-termination system, a critical safety feature designed to send a self-destruct signal if the vehicle veers off course toward populated areas. The announcement, made just ahead of the high-stakes lunar flyby mission carrying four astronauts around the Moon, triggered cheers from spectators gathered at Kennedy Space Center.

This fix follows earlier troubleshooting with the Eastern Range safety protocols, ensuring the Space Launch System (SLS) meets all requirements for the April 1 liftoff target.

Flight termination system issue puts range ‘no-go’ during Artemis II countdown

An unspecified issue with the rocket’s flight termination system has prompted concern during the Artemis II countdown, with the range currently declared “no-go,” according to Nasa commentator Derrol Nail. The system is designed to send a self-destruct signal if the rocket veers off course toward a populated area.

“Pretty unique situation here,” Nail said, noting that the problem does not lie with the rocket itself. In an unusual move, a launch controller was sent to the nearby Vehicle Assembly Building to retrieve space shuttle-era equipment to help address the issue.

“At this moment the range is no-go, but that is not stopping us from moving forward in the countdown,” Nail added, indicating that preparations for launch are continuing despite the glitch.

Artemis II Moon Mission Launch Live: What’s the difference between L-minus and T-minus?

L-minus tracks the overall time to liftoff, counting down the days, hours and minutes away before the planned blastoff. It doesn’t include built-in holds, or pauses — that’s T-minus time.
The T-minus countdown in the final 10 minutes is where nerves tense up and hearts start pounding. Automated software kicks off a series of highly choreographed milestones. During this period, the clock can be stopped if a problem is spotted and restarted if it’s fixed in time.

Artemis II astronauts board Orion capsule ahead of historic moon mission

The four astronauts of NASA’s Artemis II mission have entered the Orion capsule, taking their positions for humanity’s first journey toward the moon in more than five decades. After arriving at the launch pad, the crew rode an elevator to the spacecraft and paused in the “white room,” where they signed their names before boarding.

Wearing their flight suits, the astronauts donned helmets, made final adjustments, and climbed into the capsule, where they will remain for the duration of the mission if liftoff proceeds as planned. The space inside Orion, roughly comparable to a small camper van, will be their home for the next 10 days as they travel around the moon and back.

Nasa fuels Artemis II rocket for first crewed moon mission in over 50 years

NASA fueled its space launch system rocket ahead of the Artemis II mission, setting the stage for humanity’s first crewed journey toward the moon since 1972. The launch, scheduled for the evening, will carry four astronauts — three Americans and one Canadian — on a historic flyby mission around the moon.

The crew, led by commander Reid Wiseman, received a rousing send-off as they left crew quarters, waving and making heart gestures toward their families and the gathered crowd. Cheers followed them as they boarded the astrovan for the nine-mile ride to the launch pad. “It’s a great day for us. It’s a great day for this team,” Wiseman said.

Earlier in the day, attention was focused on fueling operations after previous hydrogen leaks had forced delays. This time, NASA reported no significant issues as more than 700,000 gallons of fuel were successfully loaded into the 32-story rocket. “It is time to fly,” Wiseman said in a message posted ahead of launch.

The mission will see the astronauts travel around the moon without landing or entering lunar orbit, before returning to Earth for a Pacific splashdown. The crew is expected to fly about 4,000 miles beyond the moon, setting a record for the farthest distance humans have traveled from Earth.

Artemis II marks a major step in NASA’s long-term plans to establish a sustained human presence on the moon, including a base near the lunar south pole later this decade. “The next era of exploration begins,” NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said.

The mission also carries historic firsts. Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen will become the first non-American to travel to the moon, while Christina Koch and Victor Glover are set to be the first woman and first Black astronaut, respectively, to take part in a lunar mission. In a message of support, King Charles III praised Hansen’s role, calling it a moment that “stands as a bridge between nations and generations.”

Nasa Moon Mission Launch: An Apollo engineer reflects on moon return

“We should have done Artemis 50 years ago,” said John Tribe, a propulsion engineer during the Apollo era.

The launch team has loaded more than 700,000 gallons of fuel into the 32-story Space Launch System rocket, setting the stage for the Artemis II crew to board.

Nasa Moon Mission Launch Live: How launch windows work

Before heading to the Moon, the Orion capsule must first complete critical checks of its life-support and onboard systems in near-Earth orbit. If all systems perform as expected, Orion will fire its main engine to begin its journey, using a carefully planned trajectory that harnesses the gravitational pull of both Earth and the Moon — a slingshot-like path that minimises fuel use.

Timing is crucial. Orion depends on sunlight for power and cannot remain in darkness for more than 90 minutes at a stretch. Nasa also plans the trajectory to limit heat exposure during reentry at the end of the mission.

The current launch window extends through April 6. If missed, the next opportunity opens on April 30.

Nasa Artemis 2 Rocket Launch Live: Rain nears Cape Canaveral, but launch conditions remain 80% favourable

Rain is approaching the Cape Canaveral launch site, with winds picking up and cloud cover increasing, but it is not expected to pose a major threat. However, Nasa said there is no risk of lightning, and weather conditions remain 80% favourable for launch, AP reported.

Nasa Artemis 2 Rocket Launch Live: Meet the four astronauts set to voyage around the Moon

The four astronauts selected for the Artemis II mission are set to become the first humans to travel to the Moon’s vicinity in more than five decades, marking a defining moment in modern space exploration.

The crew Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen will embark on a 10-day journey that will take them around the Moon and back, without landing on its surface.

Beyond the mission itself, the crew reflects a more diverse and representative era of spaceflight, including the first woman, the first person of colour and the first non-American to take part in a lunar mission, a notable shift from the Apollo program era.

Reid Wiseman: Mission commander

At 50, Wiseman leads the mission as commander. A former US Navy officer, he joined NASA in 2009 and flew a 165-day mission aboard the International Space Station in 2014. He later served as chief of the astronaut office.

Reflecting on his journey, Wiseman once said, “I never thought I'd be an astronaut… it's like an unobtainable dream.” After losing his wife in 2020, he has raised his two daughters on his own and has spoken candidly about preparing them for the risks of spaceflight.

Victor Glover: Pilot

Victor Glover, 49, will serve as pilot of the Orion spacecraft. A Navy veteran and father of four, he joined NASA in 2013 after working as a legislative advisor in the US Senate.

Inspired by watching a Space Shuttle launch as a child, Glover said, “I really want to drive one of those.” He will become the first Black astronaut and first person of colour, to travel to the Moon. In 2020, he also became the first African American to undertake a long-duration mission aboard the ISS.

Christina Koch: Mission specialist

Christina Koch, 47, will become the first woman to travel to the Moon. An engineer and seasoned explorer, she has worked in extreme environments including Antarctica.

Koch holds the record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman at 328 days and was part of the first all-woman spacewalk. Inspired by the iconic Earthrise image from Apollo 8, she has long aspired to spaceflight. Her personal motto: “Do what scares you.”

Jeremy Hansen: Mission specialist

Jeremy Hansen, 50, of the Canadian Space Agency, will be the first non-American to travel to the Moon’s vicinity. A former Royal Canadian Air Force fighter pilot, he joined the agency in 2009.

The mission will be Hansen’s first journey into space, fulfilling a lifelong dream sparked by seeing an image of Neil Armstrong on the lunar surface. A father of three, Hansen has also played a key role in training new astronauts.

Nasa Moon Mission Launch Live: Mission and what’s at stake

The mission will be the first crewed flight of Nasa's Space Launch System and Orion spacecraft, marking the most significant human spaceflight since the Space Shuttle era.

After launch, the crew will travel on a free-return trajectory around the Moon, using lunar gravity to loop back to Earth without requiring a major engine burn, a safety approach pioneered during the Apollo missions. At its farthest point, the spacecraft will travel about 4,700 miles beyond the Moon, the deepest humans have ventured into space in over five decades.

Reentry will be the most challenging phase, with Orion expected to hit Earth’s atmosphere at around 25,000 miles per hour the fastest crewed reentry ever attempted. Nasa has cleared the spacecraft’s heat shield after extensive review following observations during the uncrewed Artemis I mission.

Beyond the technical goals, the mission carries historic milestones: Glover will become the first person of colour to travel beyond low Earth orbit, Koch the first woman, Hansen the first non-American to reach the Moon’s vicinity, and Wiseman the oldest to do so.

Nasa says Artemis II is a critical step toward establishing a sustained human presence on the Moon and eventually enabling crewed missions to Mars. Its success will directly shape the path for Artemis III.

After more than half a century, humanity is once again on the verge of reaching the Moon’s doorstep and this time, it is only the beginning.

The night before a major event, be it a major event in one's life or a major event in space, is often a time filled with nervous energy, and astronauts are no exception. As Nasa gears up for its historic mission to the Moon, a mission that marks a return to the Moon after over 50 years, the stakes are extremely high, and the event is one for the ages.

The pre-launch preparation of an astronaut, as depicted in movies, is far from the reality of the situation. In the past, the last night before the launch was spent carrying out routine medical checks, including the monitoring of the astronauts' vital signs to ensure they are physically ready for the launch.

According to the human spaceflight program guidelines, stability before the launch is critical to the success of the mission. The last night before the launch is, therefore, spent in a relaxed manner to enable the astronauts to conserve their energy and stay alert.

Nasa Moon Mission Launch Live: Nasa begins fueling rocket to launch astronauts on the first lunar trip in half a century

Nasa began fueling its moon rocket Wednesday for humanity’s first lunar trip in more than half a century, aiming for an evening liftoff with four astronauts. Tensions were high as hydrogen fuel started flowing into the rocket hours ahead of the planned launch.

The launch team needs to load more than 700,000 gallons of fuel (2.6 million liters) into the 32-story Space Launch System rocket on the pad before the Artemis II crew can board.

“It is time to fly,” commander Reid Wiseman said on the eve of launch via X. Favorable weather was forecast.

Three Americans and one Canadian will fly around the moon without stopping or even orbiting, then head straight back for a Pacific splashdown. They will set a new distance record for the farthest humans have traveled from Earth as they zoom some 4,000 miles (6,400 kilometers) beyond the moon and then hang a U-turn.

Astronauts last flew to the moon during Apollo 17 in 1972.

Artemis II is the opening shot of Nasa's grand plans for a permanent moon base. The space program is aiming for a moon landing near the lunar south pole in 2028. “The next era of exploration begins,” Nasa Administrator Jared Isaacman posted on X.

Best wishes already have started to pour in, including from England's King Charles III to Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen.
Hansen will become the first non-US citizen to launch to the moon. The crew also includes Christina Koch and Victor Glover, the first woman and first Black astronaut, respectively, destined for the moon.

“In this historic moment, you stand as a bridge between nations and generations,” the king wrote in a letter to Hansen, “and I commend you for your courage, discipline and vision that have brought you to this threshold.”

Artemis II Moon Mission Launch Live: Nasa Artemis II crewed test flight and mission objectives

Artemis II is a crewed test flight. It will send astronauts beyond low Earth orbit for the first time in the Artemis programme. The mission is focused on system verification rather than exploration activities on the lunar surface.

The spacecraft will follow a free-return trajectory around the Moon. This path allows Orion to loop around the far side of the Moon and return without requiring major propulsion manoeuvres. It is a planned route used to support mission safety during early deep space flights.

Artemis II Moon Mission Launch Live: Timing and mission profile

The Artemis II mission is scheduled to lift off at 3:54 am IST on April 2 from Kennedy Space Center. If successful, it will mark humanity’s first crewed journey to the Moon’s vicinity since Apollo 17 in December 1972.

Four astronauts are set to ride a column of fire into a long-awaited chapter of human spaceflight. Following liftoff, the rocket will carry the Orion spacecraft into Earth orbit. Its upper stage will then execute a translunar injection burn, sending the spacecraft on a trajectory toward the Moon.
The mission will include a lunar flyby, after which Orion will begin its journey back to Earth.

The spacecraft is expected to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere and conclude the mission with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean, followed by recovery operations.

With the countdown underway, engineers at Nasa are powering up systems, checking communication links and preparing the rocket’s cryogenic fuelling process. This involves loading massive quantities of super-cooled liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen with precision timing.

Launch director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson said preparations have gone “extremely smooth,” with only minor ground equipment issues reported so far.
Before liftoff, teams will activate the automated ground launch sequencer, which controls thousands of commands in the final minutes. Engineers will also replace air inside the rocket’s cavities with inert nitrogen gas to ensure a stable, non-reactive environment ahead of fuelling.

The four astronauts, Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen are currently in quarantine and will suit up hours before boarding the Orion spacecraft.