NASA's Artemis II to Circle the Moon in Historic 2026 Crewed Mission

NASA's Artemis II mission will mark the first crewed flight around the Moon in over 50 years. Scheduled for 2026, the 10-day lunar flyby will use the Orion spacecraft. The crew includes Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen—the first non-American on a lunar mission.

The Artemis program, aiming for a crewed Moon landing by mid-2027, has faced delays. Originally planned for an earlier launch, the mission now lags behind other space agencies. NASA's long-term goals include a permanent lunar base and eventual human missions to Mars.

Meanwhile, China has advanced its lunar program rapidly. Between 2021 and 2026, the China National Space Administration (CNSA) completed the Chang'e 5 sample return in 2020 and the Chang'e 6 far-side sample return in 2024. By 2026, Chang'e 7 will explore the lunar south pole for water ice, survey resources, and test a new lunar rover.

The Artemis II mission will be a key step in NASA's renewed lunar ambitions. With a diverse crew and a 10-day flyby, it sets the stage for future Moon landings. China's parallel progress in lunar exploration adds to the growing competition in space.