The American space agency NASA has scheduled the historic launch of its crewed Artemis-2 mission for the night of February 5, 2026. This mission will mark the first time humans return to the Moon in over 50 years.
The 10-day flight will be carried out aboard the Orion spacecraft. The crew of four astronauts — Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen — will orbit the Moon at a distance of 9,260 kilometers without entering lunar orbit. NASA representative Jeff Radigan noted that the Moon will appear smaller due to the increased distance.
The launch will be conducted using the Space Launch System rocket, which is currently in its final assembly phase in Florida. NASA emphasized that crew safety is the top priority, and the launch will only proceed if all systems are fully ready. If the launch cannot take place on the scheduled date, the final backup date is set for April 26, 2026.
Artemis-2 is a continuation of the uncrewed Artemis-1 mission conducted in 2022. Technical issues identified during that mission — particularly with the heat shield — have been resolved. Additionally, the fueling system has been upgraded to prevent hydrogen leaks that previously caused delays.
Following Artemis-2, NASA plans to launch Artemis-3, which will include a crewed landing on the lunar surface. That mission is scheduled for 2027 using the SpaceX Starship, although the timeline may shift due to technical challenges.
This mission is not only a technological milestone but also a symbol of humanity’s enduring belief in its cosmic future.
