Artemis II is traveling about 25,000 mph, or roughly 40,000 km/h, at peak speed on the way to the Moon. At launch, it reaches orbit in about 8 minutes , with earlier ascent speeds around 17,500 mph (28,160 km/h) and later reentry speeds expected to top 25,000 mph (40,200 km/h).

Quick Scoop

The exact speed changes throughout the mission, but the headline number people usually mean is its peak speed of around 40,000 km/h.

By phase

  • Early ascent: about 4,990 km/h (3,100 mph) after booster separation.
  • Orbit insertion: about 28,160 km/h (17,500 mph) at main engine cutoff.
  • Cruise / lunar-bound trajectory: roughly 40,000 km/h (25,000 mph) at peak.
  • Return to Earth: slightly over 25,000 mph (40,200 km/h) at reentry.

If you want, I can also give you the speed in Mach , miles per second , or a simple “how fast compared with a jet” version.