More than five decades after the last crewed lunar mission, four astronauts have embarked on a historic journey back toward deep space under NASA’s Artemis II program.
The crew launched from Kennedy Space Center on April 1, 2026, marking the first human mission toward the Moon since Apollo 17.
The 10-day mission will carry the astronauts around the Moon and beyond its far side, reaching distances of more than 250,000 miles from Earth—among the farthest ever achieved by humans in spaceflight.
Unlike the Apollo missions, Artemis II will not land on the lunar surface. Instead, it is designed as a critical test of deep-space systems, including life support, navigation, and communication, ahead of planned future landings.
The mission represents a major step in NASA’s broader strategy to establish a sustained human presence on the Moon and eventually support missions to Mars.
David S Johnson
David S. Johnson is a seasoned Liberian investigative journalist and multimedia professional who has been active in the media industry since 2016. After serving in various reporting and administrative roles for several prominent local news outlets, he transitioned into media ownership as the founder of The Point Africa News and Media Consultancy Agency Inc. Based in Monrovia, his registered agency provides a comprehensive blend of local, regional, and global news coverage.
