What Artemis II Will Do
Artemis II will not land astronauts on the surface. Instead, it will serve as a full mission rehearsal.
The crew will travel aboard NASA’s Orion spacecraft, launched by the powerful Space Launch System (SLS) rocket. Over roughly ten days, they will orbit the Moon, test life-support systems, communications, navigation, and crew performance in deep space conditions.
The astronauts will live and work in tight quarters, simulating the challenges of long-duration missions. Engineers will monitor everything from radiation exposure to psychological stress.
The mission includes Commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, mission specialist Christina Koch, and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen. The crew reflects the program’s international cooperation and broader representation compared to earlier lunar missions.
Building a Sustainable Moon Program
NASA’s long-term plan goes far beyond flybys.
Future Artemis flights aim to deploy surface habitats, reusable landers, robotic assistants, and infrastructure that can support repeated human stays. Companies such as SpaceX are developing reusable spacecraft to lower launch costs and increase mission frequency.
Scientists describe the approach as in-situ resource use, meaning astronauts will rely on local materials instead of carrying everything from Earth. Producing oxygen and fuel directly on the Moon could reduce mission costs dramatically and make long-term operations realistic.
