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IN PHOTOS: Humans return to moon orbit after half a century with NASA's Artemis II mission

Updated On: 03 April, 2026 02:55 PM IST | Anushree Gaikwad

A screengrab released by NASA on Friday shows the Artemis II crew as they embark on their historic journey to orbit the moon, the first such mission in over 50 years. (PICS/ AFP, NASA)

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Artemis II lifted off from Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 18:35 EDT on Thusrday. PICS/ AFP, NASA
Artemis II lifted off from Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 18:35 EDT on Thusrday. PICS/ AFP, NASA
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The crew includes Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, mission specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen, NASA commander Reid Wiseman, and pilot Victor Glover

The crew includes Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, mission specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen, NASA commander Reid Wiseman, and pilot Victor Glover

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Over approximately 10 days, the Artemis II astronauts will orbit Earth twice before looping around the far side of the Moon in a figure eight and returning home

Over approximately 10 days, the Artemis II astronauts will orbit Earth twice before looping around the far side of the Moon in a figure eight and returning home

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According to NASA, the Orion spacecraft executed a critical translunar injection burn, igniting its main engine for approximately six minutes to propel the crew beyond Earth's gravitational influence and set them on a trajectory for a lunar flyby

According to NASA, the Orion spacecraft executed a critical translunar injection burn, igniting its main engine for approximately six minutes to propel the crew beyond Earth's gravitational influence and set them on a trajectory for a lunar flyby

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The manoeuvre generated about 6,000 pounds of thrust, placing the spacecraft on a precise path toward Earth's nearest celestial neighbour

The manoeuvre generated about 6,000 pounds of thrust, placing the spacecraft on a precise path toward Earth's nearest celestial neighbour

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NASA confirmed that the Artemis II mission management team gave a unanimous "Go" for the burn, which lasted five minutes and 49 seconds

NASA confirmed that the Artemis II mission management team gave a unanimous "Go" for the burn, which lasted five minutes and 49 seconds

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