Artemis II Mission Timeline
Complete Mission Profile from Launch to Splashdown
Launch Phase
T+0 to T+2 HoursLiftoff
Location: Kennedy Space Center, Launch Complex 39B
Space Launch System ignites all four RS-25 engines and twin solid rocket boosters, generating 8.8 million pounds of thrust. Orion begins its journey to the Moon.
Solid Rocket Booster Separation
Twin boosters separate and fall back to the Atlantic Ocean after providing initial thrust.
Core Stage Separation
Main SLS core stage separates. Upper stage ICPS (Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage) takes over.
Low Earth Orbit Insertion
Altitude: ~300 km
Orion reaches Low Earth Orbit. Crew performs systems checks and prepares for Trans-Lunar Injection burn.
Trans-Lunar Injection (TLI)
Critical Burn: ICPS engine fires to accelerate Orion toward the Moon
Orion leaves Earth orbit and begins its journey to lunar space. This is the moment the mission truly begins.
Outbound Transit
Day 1 - Day 4Course Corrections
European Service Module performs trajectory correction burns using its main engine. Crew settles into spacecraft and begins daily operations.
Deep Space Operations
Crew tests Orion systems, conducts experiments, and communicates with Mission Control. Earth grows smaller in the windows as they approach the Moon.
Approaching Lunar Space
Orion enters the Moon's sphere of influence. Crew prepares for closest approach.
Lunar Flyby
Day 4 - Day 5Closest Approach to the Moon
Altitude: ~10,000 km above lunar surface
Orion performs powered flyby using the Moon's gravity to slingshot back toward Earth. This is the furthest humans will have traveled from Earth since Apollo 17 in 1972.
Historic Moment: First crewed lunar flyby in over 50 years.
Outbound from Moon
Orion uses lunar gravity assist to accelerate back toward Earth. Crew captures photos and video of the lunar surface and far side of the Moon.
Return Transit
Day 5 - Day 10Homebound Journey
Orion coasts back to Earth. Crew performs additional experiments, systems checks, and prepares for re-entry. Earth grows larger in the spacecraft windows each day.
Service Module Separation
European Service Module separates from Orion Crew Module before re-entry. ESM burns up in Earth's atmosphere.
Re-Entry & Recovery
Day 10Atmospheric Entry
Speed: ~40,000 km/h (25,000 mph)
Temperature: Heat shield reaches ~2,760°C (5,000°F)
Orion enters Earth's atmosphere at the fastest speed any crewed spacecraft has ever returned. Skip re-entry technique used to reduce G-forces on crew.
Parachute Deployment
Three main parachutes deploy to slow Orion to ~32 km/h (20 mph) for splashdown.
Pacific Ocean Splashdown
Location: Pacific Ocean, off the coast of California
Orion splashes down. US Navy recovery ships retrieve the capsule and crew. Mission complete — humanity returns to the Moon.
Track the Mission Live
Follow Orion's journey in real-time with our interactive 3D tracker
Go to Live Tracker