Washington DC : The Artemis II mission is now on its way to the Moon. About a day after launch, the Orion spacecraft fired its thrusters at 5:19 AM on Friday, successfully exiting Earth orbit and beginning its deep-space journey. The spacecraft will now travel for the next four days to reach a region visited by only 24 humans in history.
This critical maneuver, known as the Translunar Injection burn, lasted about six minutes and accelerated the spacecraft to nearly 22,000 miles per hour (around 34,000 km/h).
The mission had launched on April 1 aboard Space Launch System (SLS), carrying four astronauts toward the Moon.
Now on a “free-return trajectory,” the spacecraft is relying largely on momentum and gravity to guide its path, with only minor engine corrections planned. Experts say this phase is highly sensitive—any small error could either send the spacecraft off course into deep space or risk a collision with the Moon.
According to NASA, the astronauts are in good health and the spacecraft is performing as expected. Artemis development head Dr. Lori Glaze described the mission as a crucial test flight aimed at gathering maximum data about the spacecraft.
Astronauts have also begun sharing their early experiences in space. Christina Koch humorously described herself as a “space plumber,” working on minor toilet issues inside the capsule. Commander Reid Wiseman said sleeping in space is enjoyable, joking that Koch sleeps “like a bat.” The crew also described the breathtaking view of Earth from space as unforgettable.
The crew includes Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen along with NASA astronauts Wiseman, Koch, and Victor Glover.
By the fifth day of the mission, the spacecraft’s speed will decrease due to Earth’s gravitational pull before accelerating again as it enters the Moon’s gravity. On the sixth day, Orion will pass just 6,400 km above the lunar surface, allowing astronauts to see the far side of the Moon—never visible from Earth. During this phase, communication with Earth may be lost for about 50 minutes as the spacecraft moves behind the Moon.
The mission is also expected to break the distance record set by Apollo 13 in 1970, reaching approximately 402,336 km away from Earth.
On the seventh day, the spacecraft will use the Moon’s gravity like a slingshot to begin its return journey to Earth, covering a total distance of around 1.1 million kilometers.
The mission is scheduled to conclude with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean near San Diego on April 11, followed by a detailed mission briefing in Houston.