Nasa has announced that the Artemis II mission, the first crewed flyby of the moon in over 50 years, could launch as early as 1 April. The US space agency confirmed it is working towards this date after a February launch was postponed due to technical difficulties.
“We are on track for a launch as early as April 1, and we are working toward that date,” said Lori Glaze, a senior Nasa official, during a press conference on Thursday. She emphasised that the mission is a test flight and carries risks, but the team and hardware are ready.
The first launch window opens on Wednesday 1 April at 6.24pm (22.24 GMT), with approximately four opportunities within a six-day period. The crew comprises three American astronauts—commander Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch—along with Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen.
Artemis II will circumnavigate Earth before heading to the moon, flying between 4,000 and 6,000 miles above the lunar surface, depending on the launch date. Nasa noted that this will bring the crew tens of thousands of miles closer to the moon than any human has been in more than 50 years, with the moon appearing the size of a basketball held at arm's length.
The mission is part of a broader Artemis programme, which includes a subsequent test mission before a lunar landing. Artemis III will involve a rendezvous in low-Earth orbit with a lunar lander, while Artemis IV aims for a landing in early 2028, following a directive from former US President Donald Trump.
