NASA Is Sending Astronauts to Circle the Moon in February 2026: What to Know

NASA is planning to send astronauts on a mission to orbit the Moon in February 2026. The mission, called Artemis II, will be the first crewed flight of the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft, which are being developed for future lunar landings. The astronauts will not be landing on the Moon or collecting any lunar samples during this 10-day mission. Instead, they will be orbiting the Moon, conducting scientific experiments and testing the spacecraft's systems. The Artemis II mission is a crucial step towards NASA's goal of returning humans to the lunar surface, which is planned to happen during the Artemis III mission in the late 2020s. The Artemis program aims to establish a sustainable presence on the Moon, which could pave the way for future missions to Mars. The launch of Artemis II is scheduled for February 2026, and the mission is expected to provide valuable data and experience for the more ambitious Artemis III mission.