On April 1, 2026, NASA launched Artemis II, sending four astronauts on a 10-day mission around the moon with a safe splashdown in the Pacific Ocean on April 10. The mission, operated by NASA, was the first crewed lunar flight since the Apollo program.

The last crewed mission to travel to the Moon occurred during the Apollo program, which ended in 1972. Artemis II was a return to deep space after more than five decades, but it also reflects a different set of priorities.

Apollo was driven largely by politics and Cold War competition, with the primary objective of landing humans on the Moon before the Soviet Union. As a result, its missions were focused on short-term achievements, reflected by the ending of the program. In contrast, Artemis is designed with long-term goals in mind. The program aims to establish a sustained human presence on and around the Moon, develop technologies for repeated missions and use the Moon as a stepping stone for future exploration, especially potential missions to Mars.

“I think it’s cool that we are going back to the moon after so long, especially because the missions this time are less politically focused and more scientific,” junior Keshin Huang said.

The crew, consisting of Americans Commader Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, Mission Specialist Christina Koch and Canadian Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen, launched aboard the Space Launch System and traveled in the Orion spacecraft. The spacecraft followed a free-return trajectory, looping around Earth using its gravity to launch, and on the return, looping around the Moon and using its gravity to return to Earth.

The mission was designed to test systems required for future lunar landings, including navigation, life support and deep-space communication. 

Artemis II did not include a Moon landing, but its return to Earth was one of the most critical phases of the mission. As the Orion capsule reentered the atmosphere, it experienced extreme temperatures before deploying parachutes and descending into the Pacific Ocean, where U.S. Navy recovery teams retrieved the spacecraft and crew. The successful landing confirmed that the spacecraft’s reentry systems can function under the intense conditions required for deep-space missions.

The mission also made history in terms of representation. Koch became the first woman to travel to lunar orbit, Glover the first Black astronaut and Hansen the first non-American astronaut to participate in a lunar mission. NASA has emphasized increased international cooperation and representation as part of the Artemis program, which includes partnerships with multiple space agencies.

“It’s really nice seeing more women involved in space exploration,” sophomore Shira Khoda said. “I hope the future Artemis missions also have a diverse set of astronauts.” 

Despite the successful outcome, Artemis II has not been without criticism. The program has faced scrutiny over its cost, which has reached tens of billions of dollars, as well as repeated delays leading up to the launch. Some critics argue that the resources could be directed toward robotic missions or Earth-based challenges, while others question whether returning to the Moon is the most efficient step toward future exploration.

“I think it’s crazy that people are still denying the moon landings,” science teacher Mr. Bambino said. “After this mission, there is so much proof.”

There are also ongoing technical concerns. Engineers are continuing to analyze data from the flight, particularly the performance of the heat shield and other onboard systems during reentry. While no issues endangered the crew, identifying and addressing even minor problems is considered essential before attempting more complex missions.

The Artemis program is intended to support long-term human exploration beyond Earth orbit. Artemis III is expected to attempt a lunar landing later this decade, using data collected from Artemis II to refine mission design and safety protocols. Future plans include extended operations near the Moon and the eventual goal of establishing a sustained human presence.

With the mission now complete, its success raises the question of what comes next. Artemis II showed that returning to deep space is still possible, but whether that return leads to a lasting presence on the Moon will depend on the missions that follow.