Chasing the Moon - Artemis II

Today, humanity stands on the precipice of a new lunar age. After launching from Kennedy Space Center, the Orion spacecraft has successfully transitioned into deep space. The crew is now beyond the reach of Earth's protective magnetic field, heading toward a historic lunar flyby.

The Crew

The Flight Path

Orion is currently following a Free-Return Trajectory. By using the Moon's gravitational pull, the spacecraft will naturally "slingshot" around the lunar far side and fall back toward Earth—a trajectory that ensures safety even in the event of engine failure.

On April 6, the crew will reach the lunar far side, traveling further into space than any humans in the history of our species, surpassing the record set by the Apollo 13 mission in 1970.