It's been 54 years since Apollo 17 landed on the moon. It was the last time astronauts were sent to the moon to walk on it. On April 1st at 6:24 EST NASA will launch a crew back to the moon on Artemis II providing all goes well. A Ten Day mission they will come within 4600 miles of the moon looping around it testing the spacecraft systems paving the way for Artemis III & IV. Artemis is the program and the launch craft is called the Space Launch System(SLS). The crewed capsule on top of the SLS is called the Orion Capsule. Artemis I, an unmanned flight, launched on Nov 16th, 2022 to the far side of the moon testing the SLS for the first time in space. This is one pic it took

The SLS is assembled/stacked in the Vehicle Assembly Building(VAB) and rolled out to the launch pad using a Crawler Transporter(CT). Originally used to roll the Saturn V for the Apollo program and the shuttle to the launch pad it had to be upgraded to handle this SLS. This is a 4 mile trek to the pad moving at 1 mph takes 12 hours. The CT docks the SLS on the pad and returns to designated parking along side the VAB. The top layer of the Crawlerway, the track, is made up of Alabama River Rock. It is 4 inches thick on straight sections and 8 inches on curves, supported by 4 feet of crushed stone beneath. The gravel acts as a low-friction surface, which reduces the chance of sparks.

Stacking the SLS - the 20 minute version

Artemis II Rollout Timelapse: SLS and Orion Begin 4.2-Mile Journey to Pad 39B

On the right side of the VAB is Launch Control Center(LCC). Here they, along with the crew inside the Orion, take a cold rocket and turn it on step by step launching the astronauts at T-zero

My brother and his wife came to visit us last week from Phoenix. We took them to Kennedy Space Center. WE went on the VIP tour which took us inside to the launching grounds via bus. We stopped at SpaceX to see a Falcon 9(watch the launch video) on the launch pad where it was set to launch in 2 days with Starlink satellites on board. I watched this launch as I have many others from my back yard. Artemis had been rolled out of the VAB for an earlier launch date but during a full dress out rehearsal a helium issue was detected and forced a roll back to the VAB for repairs. As luck would have it Artemis II was rolled back out to the launch pad the night before our visit allowing us to get an unbelievable look at it on the pad. After a few more stops giving us great views of the launching grounds our next stop was Artemis. We got within a thousand feet, 3 football fields, of Artemis II on the launch pad. This was one of the most awesome sites I had ever seen. It felt like we could reach out and touch it. Our last stop on the tour was the VAB for a few more pics. This launch has special meaning for us besides launching humans back to the moon

I did not take this pic but we stopped in the same location to take pics - Artemis

Pic of the roll-up to the launch platform. The CT keeps it level - almost there


Artemis Program - check out the Missions

Artemis II ---- The Crew

Orion Space Craft
Orion Reference Guide - this is one sophisticated capsule

I will explain what to expect on launch day. Nasa will cover Artemis II live 24/7 from launch day until splashdown. They will be holding nothing back on this mission

Thanks so much for this post, Orion! Very informative and helpful. You are lucky to have gotten to see some of this.

That's a lot of information, Orion! Sounds like you had a great time on the tour and with your brother!

I am so anxious for this launch to happen. Thank you for all the information... space is so fascinating to me.

Cool. Thanks for sharing

Yes this is going to be very exciting Drac. Here are a few ways to watch ... NASA Live. Our locals will be carrying it all day long. Check your locals

NASA's Set Coverage for Artemis II Moon Mission

I would advise checking in at 7am EST on the 1st. 7:45am - Coverage of tanking operations to load propellant into the SLS rocket begins, including views of the rocket and audio from a commentator

I have followed many Shuttle launches and I know how they ran their live broadcasts. As I said NASA will hold nothing back on this coverage, it is gonna be phenomenal.

At some point we will join up with the astronauts in the suit-up room. From there it will be one continuous ride. They will get into a Crew Transportation Vehicle(CTV) that will take them on that 4 mile journey to the SLS. Helicopters will follow them to the SLS for security and views. They will exit the CTV, take a good look at their ride then head to the elevator. At the top they will walk down the crew access arm to the White Room which is positioned right outside the Orion Capsule. Here the astronauts get their final prep before entering Orion. One at a time they'll get strapped in and start checking their comms. There will be cameras inside the Orion to watch the process. The hatch gets closed, communications between launch control and the astronauts has begun as they continue to turn that rocket on, the final stages before launch

There will be special reports along the way talking everything Artemis during the live broadcast. During the entire process the countdown continues, the rocket comes alive starting to breath and then..... 10..9..8..7..6, the core stage ignites 5..4..3..2..1..0, the 2 solid rocket boosters ignite and the SLS lifts off the pad with 4 astronauts on board heading for a journey around the moon. There will be live shots inside and outside the craft during launch

Once the SLS clears the tower Mission Control takes over the mission in Houston TX until splashdown 10 days later

Lets hope all goes well not only for the launch but for the Artemis II crew as well

!!! NASA Live - live now. Slowing loading propellants at this time 7:45 am EST starting fast fill 8:45. Live commentator reporting on milestones as they get underway along with detailed information on milestones and the Artemis II. Quiet from time to time

NASA Launch Coverage - starts at 12:50 pm EST. 24/7 streaming coverage of Artemis II operations and mission updates will be available on our YouTube channel

NASA Youtube

Thanks for the links and information Orion.

Thanks Orion, I went to the Space Center with hubby and the boys many years ago. So much has changed over the years.

Can't wait for this mission and the follow-on in '28. Brings back so many memories of our space program ever since sputnik

Launch Pad 39B

There are three 600 foot tall static towers surrounding the launch complex. They serve as a lightning protection system shielding the rocket and launch complex from a strike running a strike into the ground. Florida is the lightning capital of the United States. 11 people struck, 4 killed in 2025

The water tank seen is a sound suppression water system, or water deluge system. It releases hundreds of thousands of gallons of water onto a launch pad in seconds to absorb extreme acoustic energy and vibrations during rocket launches. This protects the vehicle and payload from damaging sound waves, while also cooling the structure


Zoom in on the tanks - There are 2 white storage tanks on Pad 39B, one holds liquid oxygen(-297F) and the other liquid hydrogen(-423F) both supper cooled propellants. Combined at launch they power the SLS' main engine, the Core Stage

Arial View zoom in. Click on crawlerways and some roads to get a 360 ground panorma view of the area. You can also travel down roads/crawlerways


First Time - You can back this pic up to get a read on Launch Complex 39

Interesting information, Orion.

"I watched this launch as I have many others from my back yard." How close are you to all of this?

I am 52 miles from the cape. From here a launch looks like a very bright flare rising into the sky. Evening or early morning launches are the best. I use a pair of image stabilizing binoculars to watch launches. I can see the SpaceX first stage separate and start to orientate itself to land back at the cape or on a barge out in the Atlantic. Six min into flight there is a entry burn of the first stage to slow it down. I set a timer to go off so I can watch the burn, nights are so cool to watch. There is a landing burn to follow but I can't see that

EDIT: A SpaceX launch just went off at 5:15 today carrying more Starlinks. I watched it on the computer while I was typing this. Here it is: Launch - run the slider to 12 minutes for launch. 2:30 into flight the first stage separates. Scroll to 6 min for the entry burn and follow it down to a Droneship landing - Click on image then scroll through for more images

SpaceX

Launches

I never would have thought about that water deluge system. that is so interesting. I am hoping to watch the launch. All the links you posted are so interesting. Thanks for that.

Me either, mbday - especially used for sound deadening!

Very Exciting !! …. All of it

The Artemis Program, the SLS , Air and Water Restrictions

The Artemis program was named after the greek goddess of the moon and wilderness. She is the Apollo's twin sister connecting the new lunar missions to the historic Apollo flights.

The Artemis Program started in 1917 with jots on paper. Eventually the idea would be handed to Boeing for continued designing and construction of the SLS.

Northrop Grumman designed and built the solid rocket boosters and along with Lockheed Martin designed and built the Orion spacecraft’s Launch Abort System (LAS), a critical safety system that helps the crew module escape in the event of an emergency on pad or during ascent. Lockheed Martin designed and built the crew module, the Orion capsule. The European Space Agency along with Airbus Defence and Space designed and manufactured the Service Module. This module is Orion's powerhouse. It handles propulsion, supplies electricity, life support, temperature control, supplies oxygen and water for the crew and can hold cargo for the mission. Nasa led the way with the overall design of the SLS using multiple contractor contributions

Artemis II Reference Guide

For the Artemis II launch authorities have established strict no-fly and no-watercraft zones around the Kennedy Space Center(KSC) to ensure public safety. Beaches north and south of the KSC will be closed. They are usually open for launches - A United Launch Alliance Delta 2 rocket launches NASA’s twin GRAIL spacecraft on a mission to the Moon Sept 10, 2011. There have been times private aircraft and/or watercraft have entered restricted areas putting a launch on hold until the invaded areas were cleared. For the Artemis II launch restricted areas have been increased. Effective Dates: From 12:00 AM on March 20, 2026, through 12:00 AM on April 26, 2026

Videos:

Artemis II: Everything You Need To Know!

Artemis II Explained | 2026 Mission to the Moon

WE ARE GOING BACK!

Day 1 - Highlights

Nasa Live - live now. Slowing loading propellants at this time 7:45 am EST starting fast fill 8:45. Live commentator reporting on milestones as they get underway along with detailed information on milestones and the Artemis II. Quiet at times. Artemis II is starting to breathe

At 1 pm EST astronauts will be suiting up then will head to the Artemis. They were woken up at 9:45 and on their way for breakfast. At 12:44 they get a weather briefing then head to the suit-up room according to our locals. Nasa Launch Coverage starts at 12:50 pm EST


NASA's Artemis II Crew Launch Live Stream | Artemis 2 Mission to the Moon

NASA Artemis II Countdown

Space Coast Live

NASA APP

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What to expect during the first day of the Artemis II mission

Artemis II - LIVE Dashboard | Real Time News Updates, Information, Quiz and more

How Exciting!

EDIT!!

!!! NASA Live - live now

At 1 pm EST astronauts will be suiting up then will head to the Artemis. They were woken up at 9:45 and have had their breakfast. They are getting a weather briefing then heading to the suit-up room according to our locals. Nasa Launch Coverage starts at 12:50 pm EST

The earlier live broadcast ran into the NASA Launch Coverage. We will start hearing NASA callouts and comms back and forth with the Artemis crew once they are on board along with live shots inside the Orion capsule

Rain is starting to move in but will clear out with a 80% chance of launch at 6:24

Cape Canveral Radar for the launch - switch to Satellite in All Layers/Map Style

Time to order a PIZZA

Enjoy the Launch

Woohoo! Perfect launch!

I'm still glued to this launch! Wonderful!!

Absolutely Fantastic!

This makes me like - stupid excited. I am continuously watching it. I just can't believe that we have this technology. From me being a kid with no cell phone, my computer, party land line - to now - this advancement. who'd a thunk it that we came this far? wow.

Yes, the launch was spectacular. I wathed it from outside the Eagles last night. Then went inside and watched on TV when it was out of sight. WoW

Day 2 - Highlights

Watch The Launch Again - scroll to 21 minutes(1 min to launch)

Sounds of Artemis I - A night time launch scroll to 3 minutes then 7 for the last recordings from the Mobile Launcher Platform/Launch Umbilical Tower - click through the pics

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There are "look backs" during certain times, when the astronauts are sleeping for one:

24/7 Live Coverage Continues - The Orion is on a high orbit around Earth after a series of burns. After a few hours of sleep a "Perigee Raise Burn(PBR)" took place, 8:15 am EST, putting Orion on an even higher orbit for a Trans Lunar Injection(TLI) burn tonight at 7:50 pm EST, if all goes well, that will send them on a course to the moon. The SLS is completely autonomous. The spacecraft's Guidance Navigation and Control Systems completed "star field maneuvers" so it knows where it is and where it is going before that PRB burn, amazing

"star field maneuvers": The way a spacecraft orients itself using stellar tracking cameras to determine its orientation (attitude) while navigating through space

The astronauts are taking a nap

EDIT: They are up getting ready for their busy day. Communications have begun checking all systems, life support etc before the TLI burn which will put them on a trajectory to the moon

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In 2017 when Artemis program started some of the technology hadn't been developed yet. It had to be developed. The Apollo computers were a 16 bit system with 4kb of ram yet successfully guided astronauts to the moon. The shuttle program used 5 main computers, 16 bits with 32 bit registers. The Artemis program uses 2 vehicle management computers and 6 power and data units. They are 20,000 times faster and have 128,000 times more memory then the Apollo computers had

I don't think I could sleep

I'm still excited too mbday630...it's been a long time coming!

We've come a long way!!!

This morning on my walk with that full moon so bright and shining I could imagined I saw a tiny speck headed for the moon...

I don't think I could sleep either soot, especially when we were coming up on the moon. You and I both would be glued to the windows


NASA'S Deep Space Network - keeping in touch with Integrity while in deep space

NASA's Set Coverage - times are EST. Mission Map

NASA's Artemis II Live Views from Orion

This is some excellent live mission coverage. Thursday at 7:50 pm EST a 5:50 minute Trans Lunar Ignition(TLI) burn has the Orion pulling away from the earth. Next stop........the moon. You can check the distance of the craft moving away from Earth and the distance they have left to the moon bottom right during animation views on the live feed

Day 3 - Highlights

Now that the crew is on their way to the moon they hope to have the cameras on inside the Orion capsule as much as possible


If you missed the 3 events that happened on thursday here they are:

The 6 minute Trans Lunar Ignition(TLI) burn and Mission Control's news brief after - segmented. During the burn you will see the Orion spacecraft, nicknamed "Integrity", starting to pull away from the Earth

Live event with the astronauts inside the Orion Spacecraft - 1st one, very good! As they continue with these "live downlinks" I expect a tour of the capsule and more


Many Very Interesting Views of the Launch! - segmented

Day 4 - Highlights

CSA Live Downlink Event held April 4th at 1:10 am EST - CSA audio not very good

Orion's Selfie taken today from a solar array

Earth - NASA astronaut and Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman took this picture of Earth from the Orion spacecraft’s window after completing the translunar injection burn. There are two auroras (top right and bottom left) and zodiacal light (bottom right) is visible as the Earth eclipses the Sun


How to Eat in Space and Crew Menu

Space - What's out there

Day 5

Massive Update - briefing - Everything to Know Before the Artemis II Moon Encounter on 6th April

April 4th Live Downlink Event at 5:15 pm EST

Artemis II Astronaut Jeremy Hansen Speaks to Media - again not very good audio from CSA


An excellent view of the launch

Thank you Orion for this awesome information source!

It's definitely an exciting time for NASA and all who have an interest in space flight especially when it comes to going back to the moon soot

Heartily agree. So very excited about all aspects !!

Targeting Plan for Lunar Flyby April 6th

Scroll down to Crew receives final science targets. The crew will be looking at certain targets within this target plan/guide the entire 7 hour lunar flyby. They will be following actions listed on the target plan/guide of each target, bottom right. Key goals include photographing, mapping, and analyzing over 30 geological targets such as the Orientale Basin. One of the objectives.....scouting possible landing sites past and future

Mission Control Update - Targeting the moon


The Orientale Basin shown here is one of the first stops for possible landing sites. Here is a stunning NASA video of the lunar surface in 4K using observations from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. NASA wants this area checked out for safe landing missions, life on the moon using the SpaceX human landing system under development - The Moon

The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter spacecraft recreated some of the stunning views of the Moon that the Apollo 13 astronauts saw on their perilous journey around the far side in 1970


Our Moon

Near Side

Far Side

Thanks for all your links, Orion! I took the time to watch the massive update briefing and was very interested in the science gathering part of it.

Day 6 - Lunar Flyby Highlights

Simulating the Artemis II Lunar Flyby on April 6, 2026 - give time to load. Click through. 4:20 minutes in watch. 6:36 - venus comes in to view

Artemis II Flight Day 6: Lunar Flyby Updates

Questions taken by the artemis crew after the lunar flyby

Artemis II Lunar Flyby Images ---- Venus captured during solar eclipse

* Video of day 6's images showing images taken, the Earth and Sun's eclipse, the planets seen during, naming of 2 craters and the crew - 11 minutes, "BREATHTAKING"

The flyby around the moon was absolutely out of this world. Not only was the crew getting views of the far side of the moon, views never seen by human eyes, they got a view of the earth getting eclipsed going behind the moon on the right causing a loss of communications with the earth. The earth slowly came out from behind the left side of the moon allowing communications to resume with Mission Control. The blackout lasted 41 Minutes. They also got a view of a solar eclipse, sun going behind the moon. During that dark period behind the moon they were able to see a few micro meteorites strikes on the moon appearing as white flashes. That had to be an amazing site. The solar eclipse lasted 1 hour

During the eclipse Mercury, Venus, Mars and Saturn came into view for imaging. They got amazing views from behind the moon during the flyby, totally SCI-FI

Two Unnamed craters were named on the far side of the moon, one named Integrity and the other named after commander Reid Wiseman's late wife Carroll. It broke him up - Naming the Craters


Optical/Lazer Communication(O2O) used on Artemis II - During the Apollo era it took 1.3 seconds for communications to reach earth and took longer for data. Data transfers are 40x faster now using O2O

Do you know how much earth's cloudy skies effect (attenuation) the O2O communications?

Here is an explanation soot. Atmospheric conditions do affect O2O communications but there is a remedy

Deep Space Network

Great information

Have you been getting any sleep Orion?

About the same as the astronauts maybe less but it is time

Day 7 - Highlights

They are on their way home after an amazing trip around the moon

The crew had a relaxing day, if you want to call it that, after a busy lunar flyby on day 6

The crew did a "Ship to ship" call to the International Space Station at 2:40 pm EST

Mission Briefing Update on Flyby

Day 8 - Highlights

Crew Conducts Key Tests on Return to Earth - They has been a very busy day for the crew and Mission Control testing many functions of the Orion spacecraft

Media Event - Q & A

CSA Live Event - scroll to 35 minutes

* Video of day 6's images showing images taken, the Earth and Sun's eclipse, the planets seen during, naming of 2 craters and the crew - 11 minutes, "BREATHTAKING"

Artemis II Lunar Flyby Images


Orion's Crew Systems ---- Display Control - simulator. When you get to the display control in the simulator pause and take a look at it. It's 55 seconds into that video


Launch Plume - zoom in, awesome

Awesome updates Orion

Wow !! This is all SO exciting ..

The Moon .. all over again and yet “different’ !!

I was 12 years old when Apollo 11 landed on the moon Mad. I remember the family glued to the tv for it. It was a day to remember

The Landing

Neil Armstrong taking first step on the moon along with his and Buzz Aldrin's 2 hour moonwalk

EDIT: I am so glad they are going back

I am obviously MUCH older than you, Orion !!

But then excitement isn’t governed by age

Day 9 - Highlights

Artemis II’s last full day in space kicked off with prep for their return to Earth. They studied their procedures for reentry and splashdown communicating back and forth with the flight control team as needed


Mission Daily Briefing/Q & A

Artemis II crew speaks to Congress on this Downlink Event

Day 10 - Re-entry, Splashdown & Recovery Highlights

The Artemis II and the crew's final day in space has come to an end with a perfect re-entry and splashdown. They spent the day stowing the cabin, configured Integrity for re-entry then donned their bright orange entry suits waiting for re-entry to begin. The Crew Module hit entry interface at 122 km altitude, 76 miles, reaching 38,365 km/h (6.6 miles per second) and peaking at 3.9 G’s before deploying its forward bay cover, drogues, and three main parachutes for a gentle 20 mph splashdown in the Pacific. Welcome home!

Mission Updates

NASA's Artemis II Post-Splashdown News Conference - starts 4:25 minutes in

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Re-entry

Artemis II began re-entry into Earth's atmosphere around 7:50 pm EST for a splashdown at 8:07 pm EST

This is the most dangerous part of the flight with the heat shield experiencing approximately 3000 to 5000 degrees F while entering Earth's atmosphere. After traveling beyond the Moon, nearly 270,000 miles from Earth, the capsule worked up a speed of 24,000 miles per hour upon entry slamming through Earth’s atmosphere. Friction cut that speed to 300+ mph in a matter of minutes

Orion and the Service Module separated before re-entry leaving the service module to burn up in Earth's atmosphere. Orion positioned itself at the right angle so not to bounce off earth's atmosphere thrown back into space for another try splashing down elsewhere or burn up entering earth's atmosphere. There was a 6 minute blackout period during re-entry. That 6 minute blackout period felt like hours not only to the crew, Mission Control but all who watched around the world

How it Works - A 2014 video, a NASA engineer explains the heat shield on Orion


Splashdown

Once in earth's atmosphere traveling at 300+ mph a series of parachutes deployed slowing the craft down to 20 mph splashing down in the Pacific Ocean off the San Diego coastline at 8:07 pm EST. After splashdown recovery efforts began. The USS John P. Murtha was onsite to start the recovery efforts

Artemis 2 Earth Re-entry, Splashdown and Recovery Plan Explained by NASA

Video of Recovery

Launch to Splashdown

I can't wait! I will be so relieved to have them safe and sound back on terra firma!

Yes indeed, it will be good to have them home!

I have found following both live coverage and Track Artemis work very well together

Glued...

So fantastic to be able to see everything in as much detail as we did !!

Just fabulous !!

And what an absolute accomplishment 🌟

They are back home. Orion splashed down at the exact time calculated, 8:07 EST. The entire mission was flown like that. Not only does NASA have a very good craft they a very very good team. The entire mission was flawless.....except for a toilet issue

Thanks for all the links and info Orion.

Great splash down last night

Thanks again Orion for the awesome information

Thanks Orion

I was glued to the TV until I saw them walk into the medical bay. Wow. Just wow.

If you missed re-entry this video starts when Orion and the Service Module separate. At 14:20 you'll see Earth coming into view in one of Orion's windows as the capsule starts entering Earth's atmosphere, an amazing site. Re-entry begins - Full Artemis II re-entry to Earth

Changes and updates made to day 10

I second all the “thanks” Orion.

I watched “live” the whole “return to earth” and then re-wound it and watched it all over again !!

Such an accomplishment for NASA and those four very brave human beings

It's been 54 years since we visited the moon. Integrity housing 4 astronauts went back to the moon and took us with them. I spent as much time as I could with that flight. Following the live coverage and Track Artemis there were times I felt like I was right there with them especially during the lunar flyby. From Launch to splashdown it was an amazing trip to the moon and back

Oldbroad we had a great time at the Kennedy Space Center. Stopping to take a look at Artemis II on the launch pad during our VIP tour of the launch grounds is something I will never forget

Marian, Drac, Fogfighter, Space Quest Fan, Connie, soot, mbday630, Mad, Ana and LadyKestrel.....I'm glad you enjoyed the flight of Artemis II, it was a historic mission



! NASA's Artemis II Crew Return to Houston - scroll to 34:45. The Artemis II crew takes the stage

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What's next for the Artemis Program:

Artemis III - The Artemis III mission will launch a crew in the Orion spacecraft on top of the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket to test rendezvous and docking capabilities between Orion and commercial spacecraft needed to land astronauts on the Moon. NASA will announce specifics on the Artemis III mission design and crew closer to the 2027 launch

Artemis IV - Artemis IV astronauts will travel to lunar orbit where two crew members will descend to the surface and spend approximately a week near the South Pole of the Moon conducting new science before returning to lunar orbit to join their crew for the journey back to Earth


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Daily highlights from the Artemis II mission:

Day 1 - Launch

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6 - Lunar Flyby

Day 7

Day 8

Day 9

Day 10 - Re-entry, Splashdown and Recovery