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Artemis II: Key facts

Launch date: NASA has identified three possible launch windows for Artemis II in the coming months: From February 6 to February 11, from March 6 to March 11, and from April 1 to April 6.

Mission objective: To complete a lunar flyby, passing the 'dark side' of the moon and test systems for a future lunar landing.

Total distance to travel: 620,000 miles (one million km)

Mission duration: 10 days 

Estimated total cost: $44 billion (£32.5 billion)

  • NASA Space Launch System rocket: $23.8 billion (£17.6 billion)
  • Orion deep–space spacecraft: $20.4 billion (£15 billion)

Crew: 

  • Commander Reid Wiseman
  • Pilot Victor Glover
  • Mission Specialist Christina Koch
  • Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen

Mission Stages:

  1. Launch from Kennedy Space Centre Launch Pad 39B
  2. Manoeuvre in orbit to raise the perigee using the Cryogenic Propulsion Stage
  3. Burn to raise apogee using the Cryogenic Propulsion Stage
  4. Detach from Cryogenic Propulsion Stage and perform translunar injection
  5. Fly to the moon over four days
  6. Complete lunar flyby at a maximum altitude of 5,523 miles (8,889 km) above the moon's surface
  7. Return to Earth over four days.
  8. Separate the crew module from the European Service Module and the crew module adapter
  9. Splashdown in the Pacific Ocean  
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