Space & Satellites
Artemis II Launch Set for March 2026 Lunar Flyby Mission
NASA’s Artemis II mission will launch in March 2026 with four astronauts on a lunar flyby, powered by Airbus’s European Service Module.
This article is based on official press releases and mission updates from NASA and Airbus.
For the first time since 1972, humanity is poised to travel beyond low-Earth orbit. According to the latest mission updates from NASA, the Artemis II mission is scheduled to launch no earlier than March 6, 2026. This historic 10-day flight will send a crew of four astronauts on a lunar flyby, testing the Orion spacecraft’s life-support systems and marking a critical step toward a sustained human presence on the Moon.
The mission represents a significant leap forward in deep space exploration. Unlike the Apollo era, which focused on reaching the lunar surface, the Artemis program aims to establish the infrastructure necessary for long-term habitation and eventual missions to Mars. As noted in official communications from Airbus, a key partner in the program, the mission will utilize the European Service Module (ESM) to power the crew through deep space.
Following a successful “wet dress rehearsal” on February 19, 2026, a full launch countdown simulation with fuel loaded, NASA has cleared the Space Launch System (SLS) Block 1 rocket for its upcoming window. This success follows an earlier scrub caused by a liquid hydrogen leak, demonstrating the agency’s rigorous safety protocols before the crew takes their seats.
Artemis II is designed as a “shakedown cruise” to validate the safety of the Orion spacecraft before future lunar landings. The mission profile involves a complex series of maneuvers designed to test every aspect of the vehicle’s performance.
Upon reaching orbit, the crew will not immediately depart for the Moon. Instead, Orion will orbit Earth twice to perform a proximity operations demonstration. During this phase, the astronauts will manually pilot the spacecraft close to the spent upper stage of the rocket (ICPS). This exercise is crucial for assessing the handling qualities of Orion, ensuring it can dock with future hardware such as the lunar Gateway.
Following the Earth orbit checks, the spacecraft will execute a Trans-Lunar Injection burn to leave Earth’s gravity. The crew will travel on a “free-return trajectory,” utilizing the Moon’s gravity to sling them back toward Earth without requiring a major engine burn for the return trip.
According to mission data, the crew will fly approximately 6,400 miles (10,300 km) beyond the far side of the Moon. At their farthest point, they will be over 230,000 miles from Earth, venturing deeper into space than any human has ever traveled. The four astronauts selected for Artemis II represent a major shift toward international cooperation and inclusion. NASA refers to this group as “The Artemis Generation.”
A critical differentiator for the Artemis program is its reliance on international hardware for mission-critical systems. The European Service Module (ESM), manufactured by Airbus for the European Space Agency (ESA), serves as the powerhouse of the Orion spacecraft.
According to technical data released by Airbus, the ESM provides propulsion, electricity, water, oxygen, and thermal control. Without this module, the crew module cannot function. Key specifications include:
“The programme aims to establish a sustained long-term human presence on the Moon.”
, Airbus Press Statement
The inclusion of the European Service Module as a “critical path” component marks a significant geopolitical shift in US space policy. During Apollo, all critical systems were American-made. For Artemis, NASA has inextricably linked the success of its crewed program to the European aerospace industrial base. This interdependence suggests that future lunar exploration will remain a diplomatic endeavor as much as a technical one, potentially insulating the program from domestic political budget cuts by anchoring it in international treaties.
The Artemis program is distinct from Apollo in its ultimate objective: permanence. The data gathered during Artemis II will directly inform the construction of the Gateway lunar space station and the Artemis Base Camp on the lunar surface.
Furthermore, the Moon is viewed as a testbed for Mars. Living in deep space allows NASA to validate radiation shielding and human health protocols required for the multi-year journey to the Red Planet. The mission will also test high-bandwidth optical (laser) communications, enabling high-definition video transmission from lunar distances.
When will Artemis II launch? Will the crew land on the Moon? Who built the service module?
Artemis II Set for March 2026 Launch: Humanity Returns to the Moon
Mission Profile and Trajectory
Phase 1: Earth Orbit and Proximity Operations
Phase 2: The Lunar Flyby
The Crew: The Artemis Generation
Powering the Journey: The Airbus European Service Module
AirPro News Analysis
Strategic Goals: Why We Are Going Back
Frequently Asked Questions
NASA is targeting a launch no earlier than March 6, 2026. Backup opportunities are available throughout mid-March if weather or technical issues arise.
No. Artemis II is a flyby mission. The crew will circle the Moon and return to Earth. The first lunar landing is scheduled for Artemis III.
The European Service Module (ESM) was built by Airbus for the European Space Agency (ESA). It provides power, propulsion, and life support for the Orion capsule.
Sources
Photo Credit: Airbus