NASA’s Artemis II mission has left Earth orbit and begun its journey toward the Moon after Orion completed the engine burn that placed the spacecraft on its translunar path. The burn lasted five minutes and 55 seconds and was described as having gone smoothly, marking the key manoeuvre that sent the four-person crew out of Earth orbit and onto the lunar leg of the mission. The spacecraft is now on the trajectory that will carry it around the far side of the Moon and back to Earth, in what NASA describes as the first crewed Artemis flight and an approximately 10-day mission.
First crewed lunar mission of the Artemis era
The mission is being presented as a major step in NASA’s effort to return astronauts to deep space operations around the Moon and prepare for future lunar surface missions. NASA says Artemis II is the agency’s first mission with crew aboard the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft, and the first crewed lunar flyby of the Artemis program. The mission launched on April 1, 2026, and carries four astronauts: Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen.
Crew reports stable conditions on board
After the translunar injection burn, the crew reported that conditions aboard Orion were good, with Jeremy Hansen saying the astronauts were feeling well on the way to the Moon. During the first phase of the mission, the crew checked cameras, navigation equipment, and life-support systems aboard the spacecraft. Reports also said that smaller technical issues were addressed early in the flight, including a toilet malfunction and email-related problems, while the mission continued according to plan.
Mission expected to push beyond previous distance milestones
The journey is expected to take the crew more than 7,600 kilometres beyond the Moon before the spacecraft begins its return toward Earth, according to the reports. One of the articles says this would allow Artemis II to exceed the distance record associated with Apollo 13. The same reports describe this as the first time since 1972 that humans have traveled beyond Earth orbit, underlining the scale of the mission within the broader history of human spaceflight.
A total solar eclipse is expected on the sixth day
One of the most striking moments of the mission is expected around the sixth day, when the crew is forecast to witness a total solar eclipse while Orion passes behind the Moon. According to the reports, the astronauts should be able to see the Moon move directly in front of the Sun from their position in the spacecraft, with the view framed by the perspective of deep space travel around the lunar far side.
How can the mission be followed live
NASA has made the mission available through several live viewing options. Its live coverage page says continuing coverage of Artemis II is available through NASA+, the agency’s ad-free on-demand streaming service, and through YouTube. NASA’s schedule also lists “Live Views From Orion” on YouTube, along with regular daily Artemis II news conferences streamed on YouTube. For the Moon flyby itself, NASA says coverage on Monday, April 6, at 1 p.m. will be available on YouTube, Amazon Prime, Peacock, Netflix, and NASA+. NASA also notes that while its programming is free, access through third-party platforms may require equipment or subscription costs.
Mission remains on course as NASA advances its lunar plans
Taken together, the reports describe Artemis II as having successfully entered its most important outbound phase, with Orion now moving toward the Moon after leaving Earth orbit without major disruption. The mission is being treated as a test of deep-space systems, crew readiness, and the technologies needed for the next stages of the Artemis program. With the spacecraft on its intended path, the crew stable on board, and multiple live viewing options now active, Artemis II has moved from launch into the part of the mission that will define its place in NASA’s return to lunar exploration.
