Artemis II astronauts begin new chapters after moon mission
The four astronauts who flew farther from Earth than any humans before them are beginning new journeys after stepping away from active spaceflight.
Artemis II launches into space for historic lunar flyby mission
Artemis II launched on April 1, 2026, at 6:35 p.m. EDT. The mission lifted off from Launch Pad 39B at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida.
THE TAKEAWAY
- Artemis II pushed humans farther into deep space than ever before.
- All four astronauts have stepped away from active spaceflight.
- Artemis III will test the systems needed for future lunar landings.
All four astronauts from the historic Artemis II mission that carried humans farther into deep space than ever before, have now stepped away from active astronaut duty and are embarking on their next journey of their careers.
NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch, along with Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen, completed a nearly 10-day lunar flyby mission in April 2026.
The crew of NASA's Artemis II mission (left to right): NASA astronauts Christina Hammock Koch, Reid Wiseman (seated), Victor Glover, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen. (NASA)
Artemis II tested NASA’s Orion spacecraft, Space Launch System rocket and life-support systems during a historic flight around the moon, pushing human spaceflight farther into deep space and paving the way for future lunar landings with the Artemis program.
Mission Commander Reid Wiseman, who commanded Artemis II, transitioned to NASA’s emeritus astronaut program in September.
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Although he is no longer eligible for future spaceflight assignments, Wiseman will continue sharing his experience with NASA astronauts, flight controllers and engineers. NASA said his knowledge will be especially valuable as the agency prepares for Artemis III and future lunar missions.
Earthset captured through the Orion spacecraft window at 6:41 p.m. EDT, April 6, 2026, during the Artemis II crew’s flyby of the Moon. A muted blue Earth with bright white clouds sets behind the cratered lunar surface. The dark portion of Earth is experiencing nighttime. On Earth’s day side, swirling clouds are visible over the Australia and Oceania region. In the foreground, Ohm crater has terraced edges and a flat floor interrupted by central peaks. Central peaks form in complex craters when the lunar surface, liquefied on impact, splashes upwards during the crater’s formation. (NASA / NASA)
The NASA emeritus program allows former astronauts with specialized expertise to continue supporting the agency by training and mentoring current employees while pursuing other professional opportunities.
As for Mission Specialist Christina Koch, beginning Nov. 1, she will transition into a senior leadership role as NASA’s acting deputy chief engineer.
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In that role, she will help oversee technical standards, mission readiness and engineering efforts across the agency’s programs.
April 1, 2026: NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) rocket launches the Artemis II crew to the moon. (Brandon Moser / Getty Images)
NASA said the move will place Koch in management astronaut status, meaning she will no longer be eligible for future spaceflight assignments.
Pilot Victor Glover also became a NASA emeritus astronaut in September.
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He has taken on a full-time administrative leadership role at his alma mater, California Polytechnic State University.
Glover will advise university leaders, help develop strategic partnerships and support programs focused on engineering, aerospace, aviation, artificial intelligence and other fields.
Artemis II was NASA’s first crewed mission under the Artemis program and the first human flight around the Moon in more than 50 years. Launched in April 2026, the nearly 10-day mission tested NASA’s Orion spacecraft and Space Launch System rocket while paving the way for future lunar landings. (NASA/Kim Shiflett)
He will also serve as an ambassador for the university and help inspire the next generation of STEM students.
After the Artemis II mission, Jeremy Hansen retired from active astronaut duty with the Canadian Space Agency.
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According to the CSA, he is now pursuing new professional opportunities while continuing to serve as a reservist in the Royal Canadian Air Force. Hansen will also remain an ambassador for Canada’s space program and future exploration efforts.
Passing the torch to Artemis III
The Artemis II astronauts may be finished flying, but their mission was designed to prepare NASA for what comes next.
Artemis III is scheduled to launch in 2027 with NASA astronauts Randy Bresnik, Andre Douglas and Frank Rubio, along with European Space Agency astronaut Luca Parmitano.
The Artemis III crew poses for an official portrait (from left: Andre Douglas, Luca Parmitano, Randy Bresnik, Frank Rubio). (NASA/Bill Stafford / NASA)
The mission will conduct a series of tests in low Earth orbit, including rendezvous and docking operations between NASA’s Orion spacecraft and commercial lunar lander systems developed by SpaceX and Blue Origin.
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Artemis III will not land astronauts on the moon. Instead, it will test critical systems needed for Artemis IV, which NASA currently identifies as the mission intended to return astronauts to the lunar surface in 2028.