Artemis II Mission Timeline

Liftoff

Artemis II lifted off from Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39B, beginning the first crewed SLS mission.

Earth orbit checkout

Orion entered low Earth orbit and the crew worked through early systems checks before the translunar departure sequence.

Trans-lunar injection

The upper stage burn sent Orion out of Earth orbit and onto the free-return path toward the Moon.

Deep-space operations

The crew settled into the mission, tested Orion systems, and continued outbound operations as Earth receded in the windows.

Approach to lunar space

Orion moved into the Moon-approach phase and prepared for the mission's most historic passage.

New human-distance record

Artemis II moved beyond the Apollo 13 mark and established a new human-distance milestone.

Peak distance reached

The mission reached a locked peak distance of 252,756 miles from Earth before beginning the full return leg.

Lunar flyby

Orion completed its crewed lunar flyby and used the Moon's gravity to bend the trajectory back toward Earth.

Homebound journey

The crew continued return-leg operations while Orion coasted back toward Earth and prepared for re-entry.

Final approach

Recovery planning, entry preparations, and the final approach to Earth closed out the mission's deep-space segment.

Re-entry sequence

Orion began the final re-entry sequence and transitioned toward atmospheric entry over Earth.

Pacific splashdown

The crew returned safely to the Pacific Ocean, completing the first crewed Artemis mission.

Recovery operations followed off the coast of San Diego.