What in the World Artemis II: How long will it take to get to the moon?
Apr 1, 2026
Georgina Rannard, BBC science correspondent, gives a clear explainer on Artemis II and its timeline. She walks through why NASA is back at the Moon. She breaks down why multiple launch dates are possible. She outlines the roughly 10-day trip and profiles the four-person crew.
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Why Countries Are Racing Back To The Moon
- Renewed lunar interest is driven by resource competition, including iron, titanium and water, which could enable settlements and spark a new space race among nations.
- Georgina notes lunar resources may be easier to access than some Earth locations, prompting geopolitical and commercial incentives.
Why Artemis II Has So Many Launch Dates
- Artemis II has multiple potential launch dates because weather, safety checks and airspace clearances force NASA to keep several backup opportunities.
- A failed wet dress rehearsal and wind days earlier led to seven possible April dates while engineers troubleshoot and prioritise astronaut safety.
Artemis II Mission Timeline And Key Risks
- The Artemis II trip is a roughly 10-day mission: launch, translunar injection, fly around the far side of the Moon, then a four-day return and Pacific splashdown.
- Key risks include 50 minutes of communications blackout at the far side and a high-temperature re-entry needing an intact heat shield after Artemis I damage.