tech
April 14, 2026
When will astronauts return to the Moon? This is what's next for NASA after the success of Artemis II
The four astronauts of the historic Artemis II mission returned to Earth last Friday after becoming the first crewed flight to fly around the Moon in more than 50 years. The capsule reached a maximum distance of 406,771 kilometers from Earth, surpassing the mark set by Apollo 13 in 1970.
TL;DR
- The Artemis II mission, with four astronauts, marked the first crewed flight around the Moon in over 50 years.
- The Orion capsule achieved a record distance of 406,771 km from Earth and flew within 6,550 km of the lunar surface.
- The mission validated NASA's deep-space technology, distinct from the Apollo era.
- Artemis III is scheduled for mid-2027 to test lunar lander docking in orbit, not a surface landing.
- Artemis IV, planned for late 2028, aims for the first crewed lunar landing since 1972 at the lunar south pole.
- NASA's goal is to establish a lunar base by 2032.
- The program's progress is influenced by technological development of landers and life support systems, and NASA's budget, which faces potential cuts.
- Minor mission issues included a faulty toilet and a helium leak, which did not impact the crew or mission success.