Artemis II is already on its way to the Moon. NASA launched the crewed mission on April 1, 2026, and if the flight continues as planned, the astronauts should reach the Moon during the next phase of the roughly 10-day mission.

Quick scoop

The key moment still ahead is the trans-lunar injection burn , which sends Orion out of Earth orbit and onto the Moon-bound path. NASA’s update says that burn was expected later on April 2, 2026, and the spacecraft would then spend about four days traveling toward the Moon.

What that means

  • Launched: April 1, 2026, at 6:35 p.m. EDT.
  • Moon-bound phase: after the trans-lunar injection burn.
  • Expected mission length: about 10 days around the Moon and back.

If you want, I can also give you the exact timeline for when Artemis II will fly by the Moon and return to Earth.