Artemis II Launches Astronauts to the Moon (Official NASA Recap)

Artemis II’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket lifted off from Launch Pad 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, at 6:35 p.m. EDT (2235 UTC) on April 1, 2026, sending NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen on an approximately 10-day test flight around the Moon and back aboard their Orion spacecraft. This video includes highlights from the day of launch. Follow along as the four astronauts continue their journey around the Moon and back: https://www.nasa.gov/ways-to-watch/ Learn more at: https://www.nasa.gov/mission/artemis-ii/

What is said in the film

Good afternoon from the Space Coast of Florida, where four astronauts are about to suit up for NASA's boldest test flight in a generation. Our goal is to pursue the secrets of the universe, to change the world in air and space. We have a ton of people gathering around the world to watch this history making moment. This crew cohesion — we're at the point now where we are ready to go fly. I've had shivers running up and down my spine a number of times.

This mission is an opportunity for our generation. It's about human history. It's the story of humanity. The question isn't go or not go. It's are you going to lead or are you going to follow?

This crew could be the first humans to journey around the Moon in more than half a century. Your Artemis II crew is go for launch. Full send. Let's go. Three.

Two. One. Booster ignition ... and liftoff. The crew of Artemis II, now bound for the Moon.

Humanity's next great voyage begins. Artemis and Artemis II remind us that our greatest chapters are yet to be written. Well done. Go, Artemis II! The point is the endgame.

The Moon has now become the center, the focus of this mission. Artemis II is the first step in a sustained presence off of planet Earth in deep space And if we are successful in doing that, I think Artemis II becomes just that first little teeny tiny curb that we stepped up on this really long journey.

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