A massive orange-and-white NASA rocket blasted off from Florida’s Kennedy Space Center on Wednesday evening, carrying four astronauts on the first crewed journey around the moon since 1972.
The launch at 6:35 p.m. Eastern time sent NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, along with Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen, aboard the spacecraft named Integrity on a 10-day mission expected to cover more than 695,000 miles. The flight will not land on the moon but will test the spacecraft for future landings and deeper exploration of the solar system.
Liftoff.
The Artemis II mission launched from @NASAKennedy at 6:35pm ET (2235 UTC), propelling four astronauts on a journey around the Moon.
Artemis II will pave the way for future Moon landings, as well as the next giant leap — astronauts on Mars. pic.twitter.com/ENQA4RTqAc
— NASA (@NASA) April 1, 2026
Tens of thousands of spectators packed beaches along Central Florida’s Space Coast, cheering as the rocket rose on a column of fire into a clear blue sky.
Witnessing American history & Badassery!!! The Artemis II launch at Cape Canaveral, Florida. The most powerful man rocket in history. Sending four brave astronauts further than any human has ever been from planet Earth. Absolutely spectacular. Well done NASA & @rookisaacman🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/k4fXjMAcyQ
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) April 2, 2026
Wiseman, the mission commander, radioed back shortly after liftoff: “We have a beautiful moonrise, and we’re headed right at it.”
The mission, called Artemis II, echoes Apollo 8 from December 1968, when astronauts first circled the moon.
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said after the launch, “After a brief 54-year intermission, NASA is back in the business of sending astronauts to the moon,” The Times reported.
America’s next leap is underway..
Godspeed Artemis II 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/x87WuRm9jA— NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman (@NASAAdmin) April 1, 2026
It marks several firsts. Glover will be the first Black man to travel into deep space. Koch will be the first woman. Hansen, from the Canadian Space Agency, will be the first non-American on a moon mission.
Before liftoff, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney told Hansen in a video call, “It fills me with pride, but it also sends a real message to Canadians.”
Hansen replied, “The fact we’ll be the second country in the world to send a human into deep space says a lot.”
The rocket, 322 feet tall and weighing 5.75 million pounds, lifted off after an 11-minute delay caused by minor issues with the flight termination system and a sensor in the crew capsule ejection system. Earlier helium and hydrogen leaks that had postponed previous attempts did not recur.
Once in space, a brief communications glitch prevented controllers from hearing the crew, though it was quickly fixed. The astronauts also reported a problem with the spacecraft’s only toilet — the first real commode sent into deep space — but mission control later confirmed, per CNN, “You are good to use the toilet all night.”
The crew planned to use backup waste management if needed.
After two upper-stage engine firings, the Orion capsule separated from the rocket. Glover manually piloted the spacecraft close to the discarded stage, practicing maneuvers for future docking with lunar landers.
“I see it,” he said. “That is a good-looking American flag.”
The crew later described “phenomenal views” of Earth, with Koch noting rivers and thunderclouds lit by the setting sun.
“You guys look great,” she told mission control.
President Donald Trump opened his address to the nation on Wednesday night by congratulating the team.
“It was quite something,” Trump said. “These are brave people.”
The mission will set a new distance record for humans from Earth — 252,799 miles — when it swings around the moon’s far side next week. It will end with a Pacific Ocean splashdown on April 10.
Isaacman called Artemis II “the opening act,” with lessons to be applied to future flights aiming for a crewed lunar landing by the end of 2028 and a sustained presence on the moon.
