In 2026, NASA will send astronauts beyond Earth orbit for the first time since 1972.

By Aniket Chakraborty

Jan 1, 2026

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SCIENCE

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The mission, called Artemis II, marks humanity’s return to deep space.

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Image Credit | @NASAArtemis | X

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Four astronauts will fly aboard the Orion spacecraft on a lunar flyby.

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Image Credit | @NASA_Orion | X

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The crew includes Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canada’s Jeremy Hansen.

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Image Credit | @NASAArtemis | X

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Artemis II will loop around the Moon without landing, testing critical systems for future missions.

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The spacecraft will travel nearly 385,000 kilometres through deep space radiation.

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For 45 minutes near the Moon, the crew will lose all contact with Earth.

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The mission will test Orion’s heat shield during a fiery reentry at over 5,000°F.

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Image Credit | @NASA_Orion | X

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Astronauts will also collect data on sleep, stress, immunity, and human survival in deep space.

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Artemis II paves the way for a permanent lunar presence — and eventually, missions to Mars.