The NASA Artemis II mission has marked a significant milestone in space exploration, featuring a crew of four astronauts: Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen from the Canadian Space Agency. This mission, launched from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, is the first crewed mission to leave Earth’s orbit since Apollo 17 in 1972.

During the mission, the crew will embark on a 10-day journey that will take them up to 252,799 miles (406,840 kilometers) from Earth, exceeding the previous record set by Apollo 13. While the mission will not involve landing on the Moon, the astronauts are expected to capture high-resolution photographs of the lunar surface during a planned flyby.

Dr. Lori Glaze, a NASA official, remarked, “Today, for the first time since Apollo 17 in 1972, humans have departed Earth orbit.” She added, “Each milestone we reach marks meaningful progress on the path forward for the Artemis program.” This statement underscores the significance of the Artemis II mission in the broader context of NASA’s goals for lunar exploration and eventual missions to Mars.

In addition to their lunar observations, the crew may also catch sight of Comet C/2026 A1 (MAPS) during their mission. The comet is expected to experience its closest approach to the sun on April 4, 2024, and astronomers predict it will face extreme conditions that could lead to its disintegration. Karl Battams, an expert on comets, noted, “Over the next few days, the comet is going to be experiencing the most hostile environment our solar system has to offer, and it will suffer accordingly.” He further speculated, “My best guess is that it will disintegrate rapidly over the next couple of days, leaving nothing but a faint cloud of dust to recede from the sun.”

The Artemis II mission is a critical step in NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the Moon and establish a sustainable presence there. As the mission progresses, the space community and the public will be closely watching the astronauts’ journey and the data they collect.

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This incident highlights the unpredictable health issues that astronauts may face during space missions. On January 7, 2026, astronaut Mike Fincke experienced a sudden 20-minute loss of speech while at the International Space Station (ISS). This alarming episode prompted NASA’s first medical evacuation from the ISS.

Doctors have ruled out a heart attack and choking as causes of Fincke’s episode. The incident occurred while he was preparing for a spacewalk, described by Fincke as happening “out of the blue” and “amazingly quick.” At the time, he was five and a half months into his stay aboard the space station.

The space station’s ultrasound machine was utilized during the medical event, and Fincke has undergone numerous tests since returning to Earth on January 15, 2026. His illness resulted in the cancellation of a planned spacewalk, and he expressed hope to return to space in the future.

Fincke’s colleagues reassured him, stating, “This wasn’t you. This was space, right? You didn’t let anybody down.” NASA is currently reviewing other astronauts’ medical records to identify any related instances that might have occurred in space.

As of now, the exact cause of Mike Fincke’s medical episode remains unclear. Observers note that this incident underscores the need for ongoing medical evaluations and preparedness for astronauts in the unique environment of space.

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Nearing a pivotal moment in space exploration, NASA is preparing for the Artemis II launch, scheduled for April 1, 2026, at 6:24 p.m. EDT. This mission represents the first crewed flight of NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the Moon and eventually facilitate missions to Mars.

The Artemis II mission will send a crew of four astronauts on a 10-day journey around the Moon. The selected crew includes Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen. This mission is particularly notable as it will feature several historic firsts: Glover will be the first person of color to participate in a lunar mission, Koch will be the first woman to travel to the Moon, and Hansen will be the first non-American astronaut to embark on this journey.

The launch will take place from Launch Complex 39B at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, utilizing NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket. This mission is designed to test the Orion spacecraft’s life support systems with humans aboard, ensuring that the systems necessary for long-duration space travel are functional.

As the launch date approaches, NASA is committed to providing live coverage of prelaunch, launch, and mission events. They have emphasized the importance of this mission, stating, “This isn’t just about show; it’s a vital test.” The mission aims to surpass the record for the farthest distance from Earth set by Apollo 13, which is 248,655 miles.

NASA will continuously update the Artemis II briefings and mission events page throughout the prelaunch, launch, and mission activities. However, it is important to note that the timing of events is subject to change, and all events are listed in Eastern Time.

As preparations continue, the Artemis II mission stands as a significant milestone for NASA and the future of human space exploration. The successful execution of this mission will not only advance lunar exploration but also pave the way for future missions to Mars and beyond.

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