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Around the Moon and Back

Astronauts will soon fly closer to the moon than they have since 1972.

January 19, 2026
By Talia Cowen and Rebecca Zissou

As You Read, Think About: What are the main goals of the Artemis II mission?

NASA

Christina Koch is preparing for a trip that could take her farther into space than any human has gone before. She and three other astronauts will travel more than 230,000 miles from Earth. They’ll zoom around the moon and back at speeds of up to 25,000 miles per hour. 

The 10-day mission, known as Artemis II, could happen as soon as February. It will be a big step toward NASA’s goal of landing humans on the moon for the first time in more than 50 years. 

But the U.S. space agency isn’t ready to send anyone back to the lunar surface just yet. First it has to make sure astronauts can travel to the moon and return home safely.

That’s where the Artemis II crew comes in. As they orbit the moon, they’ll test that the space capsule, called Orion (above), works properly. Their mission will take them thousands of miles beyond the far side of the moon—which we can’t see from Earth. 

“We could see parts of the moon that never have had human eyes lay upon them before,” Koch says.

Christina Koch is preparing to go farther into space than any human has gone before. She and three other astronauts will travel more than 230,000 miles from Earth. They’ll zoom around the moon and back. They’ll reach speeds of up to 25,000 miles per hour. 

The 10-day mission is known as Artemis II. It could happen as soon as February. It will be a big step toward NASA’s goal of landing humans on the moon again. That hasn’t happened in more than 50 years. 

But the U.S. space agency isn’t ready to send anyone back to the lunar surface just yet. First it has to make sure astronauts can travel to the moon and come back safely.

That’s where the Artemis II crew comes in. They’ll fly around the moon and test that the space capsule, called Orion (above), works properly. Their mission will take them thousands of miles beyond the far side of the moon. That’s a side we can’t see from Earth.   

“We could see parts of the moon that never have had human eyes lay upon them before,” Koch says.

What You Need to Know About the Moon
Watch a video tour of Earth’s closest neighbor.

More to Explore

From 1969 to 1972, a total of 12 American men walked on the moon as part of NASA’s Apollo program. The astronauts collected rock and soil samples that scientists continue to study even today. Since then, only robotic spacecraft have landed on the moon’s powdery surface. 

The Artemis program was created to send astronauts back to Earth’s closest neighbor. It’s part of a larger plan to eventually send humans even farther into space. Scientists from the U.S. and other nations are working on a space station called Gateway that they hope will one day orbit the moon. The station is being planned as a stopover for astronauts on longer space missions—possibly to Mars.

From 1969 to 1972, 12 American men walked on the moon. They were part of NASA’s Apollo program. The astronauts collected rock and soil samples that scientists still study today. Since then, only robotic spacecraft have landed on the moon’s surface. 

The Artemis program was created to send astronauts back to the moon. That’s Earth’s closest neighbor. The program is part of a larger plan to one day send humans farther into space. Scientists from the U.S. and other nations are working on a space station called Gateway. It will one day orbit the moon. The station will be a stopover for astronauts on longer space missions—possibly to Mars.

Meet the Crew

Robert Markowitz NASA-JSC

  • Victor Glover (top left) will be the first Black astronaut on a moon mission.
  • Jeremy Hansen (top right) will be the first Canadian astronaut on a moon mission.
  • Christina Koch (bottom right) will be the first female astronaut on a moon mission.
  • Reid Wiseman (bottom left) will be the first commander of a moon mission since 1972.
  • Victor Glover (top left) will be the first Black astronaut on a moon mission.
  • Jeremy Hansen (top right) will be the first Canadian astronaut on a moon mission.
  • Christina Koch (bottom right) will be the first female astronaut on a moon mission.
  • Reid Wiseman (bottom left) will be the first commander of a moon mission since 1972.

Preparing to Launch

The first Artemis mission launched in November 2022. Over 26 days, the Orion capsule flew around the moon and back without anyone on board. The mission proved that the spacecraft could survive the journey. Now it’s time for a human test flight. 

A rocket carrying Orion, with the Artemis II crew inside, will blast off from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. About eight minutes after takeoff, Orion will separate from the main rocket and head toward the moon. 

During their historic flight, the astronauts will make sure the spacecraft’s controls and equipment work correctly. They will also perform experiments to help NASA prepare for longer moon missions. And they will be in constant communication with NASA to report any problems.

The first Artemis mission launched in November 2022. Over 26 days, the Orion capsule flew around the moon and back. But no one was on board. The mission proved that the spacecraft could survive the journey. Now it’s time for a human test flight. 

A rocket carrying Orion, with the Artemis II crew inside, will blast off from Kennedy Space Center. That’s in Florida. About eight minutes after takeoff, Orion will separate from the main rocket. It will head toward the moon. 

During their historic trip, the astronauts will make sure the spacecraft’s equipment works well. They will perform experiments to help NASA prepare for longer moon missions. And they will constantly communicate with NASA to report any issues.

Back to the Moon

The Artemis II crew has been training for the mission since June 2023 (see “Practice Makes Perfect”). They’ve spent hundreds of hours simulating every part of their trip. That includes getting used to spending 10 days together without much room to move around. Orion’s living area is about as big as the insides of two minivans combined. 

NASA will use what the crew learns during its journey around the moon to get ready for the next mission, Artemis III. If all goes well, another group of astronauts could land on the lunar surface next year.

“We like to think that our true mission isn’t fulfilled until we see someone walking on the moon,” says Koch. “That’s when we know we did our job.”

The Artemis II crew has been training since June 2023 (see “Practice Makes Perfect”). They’ve spent hundreds of hours simulating every part of their trip. That includes getting used to spending 10 days together in a tight space. Orion’s living area is about as big as the insides of two minivans combined. 

NASA will use what the crew learns during this mission to prepare for the next one, Artemis III. If all goes well, a crew could land on the lunar surface next year.

“We like to think that our true mission isn’t fulfilled until we see someone walking on the moon,” says Koch. “That’s when we know we did our job.”

Practice Makes Perfect

For the Artemis II crew, no detail has been too small to ignore during their training. 

For the Artemis II crew, no detail has been too small to ignore during their training. 

Robert Markowitz NASA-JSC

In July 2024, the crew visited Iceland. Its rocky landscape is similar to that of the moon.

In July 2024, the crew visited Iceland. Its rocky landscape is similar to that of the moon.

NASA/Mark Sowa

The crew has spent a lot of time getting comfortable in the tight quarters of the Orion capsule.

The crew has spent a lot of time getting comfortable in the tight quarters of the Orion capsule.

NASA/Kenny Allen

After orbiting the moon, the crew will splash down in the Pacific Ocean. To prepare, they practiced being picked up by the U.S. Navy.

After orbiting the moon, the crew will splash down in the Pacific Ocean. To prepare, they practiced being picked up by the U.S. Navy.

1. According to the article, what did NASA accomplish with the Apollo program?

2. What is the overall goal of the Artemis program?

3. Based on the article and the sidebar, “Practice Makes Perfect,” how have astronauts prepared for the Artemis II mission?

1. According to the article, what did NASA accomplish with the Apollo program?

2. What is the overall goal of the Artemis program?

3. Based on the article and the sidebar, “Practice Makes Perfect,” how have astronauts prepared for the Artemis II mission?

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