NASA’s Artemis II astronauts arrive in Florida ahead of moon launch

from NASA Artemis II astronauts arrive in Florida before Moon launch

By Meghan Bartels edited by Eric Sullivan

Before embarking next week for a historic flight to the Moon, the four astronauts of the Artemis II the crew had to make one last land trip: to Florida.

NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen arrived at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center on March 27, five days before their scheduled April 1 liftoff. The astronauts flew from Houston, home to NASA’s Johnson Space Center, aboard two T-38 training planes, then disembarked to speak with reporters.

The 10-day mission will mark the first time humans have left Earth’s orbit since the Apollo 17 mission ended in 1972. Depending on the precise trajectory their spacecraft took, the Artemis II the crew can travel further from Earth than any human to date.

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“Hey, let’s go to the moon!” said Wiseman, the mission commander, to open the crew’s remarks. “I think the nation and the world have been waiting a long time to start again.”

“I’m excited,” Hansen added. “We’re all excited to do this.”

Artemis II is scheduled to lift off from Kennedy Launch Complex 39B at 6:24 p.m. EDT on April 1. If the mission is canceled during the initial two-hour window, additional launch opportunities will continue through April 6.

The crew has been in medical quarantine since March 18 to protect their journey from hitchhiking germs. Although the astronauts had previously isolated themselves for target launch dates in February and March that were ultimately delayed, this is the first attempt allowing the crew to land in Florida.

Wiseman acknowledged that even with several opportunities ahead, his feet could remain on the ground for weeks, if not months. “We are ready for this,” he said. “A little piece of my brain always tells me April 1 is not a guarantee, April 6 is not a guarantee.”

Glover agreed. “It will leave when the engines fire at T-zero; we understand that perfectly.”

Despite the looming uncertainties of rocket science, the crew remains focused. Koch shared how moved she was that, during the flyby, an air traffic controller wished her and the crew good luck with the launch. “We are ready to do this and fulfill our mission for all of you,” she said.

Editor’s Note (03/27/26): This is a developing story and may be updated.

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