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LIFTOFF: Successful Artemis II Launch Sends Astronauts Into Deep Space

NASA's 322-foot-tall Artemis II Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Virginia Grace McKinnon / @virginiagmck

Virginia Grace McKinnon is a journalism fellow at The Daily Signal. Send an email to Virginia Grace.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration successfully launched four astronauts into deep space for the first time in more than 50 years.

Artemis II launched the crewed Orion spacecraft at 6:35 p.m. EST from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. 

The crew will travel for 10 days, loop around the moon, and go farther from Earth than humans have ever gone before. 

The mission aboard the Orion spacecraft is the second mission of the Artemis program, but the first with a manned crew. NASA says the program is critical to advancing a sustained human presence on the moon, sending humans to Mars, and beyond. 

“Space is the final frontier. We have always been a nation of explorers, and this is what’s next!” Rep. Jim Baird, R-Ind., who serves on the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, told The Daily Signal.

Celebrating America 250-America Is Going to The Moon ????NASA is sending four astronauts on a historic mission to the moon. This 10 day long mission will help America establish larger space exploration. Follow The Daily Signal to get updates on the mission!@virginiagmck pic.twitter.com/4Pfa1IGe9T— The Daily Signal (@DailySignal) April 1, 2026

Celebrating America 250-America Is Going to The Moon ????NASA is sending four astronauts on a historic mission to the moon. This 10 day long mission will help America establish larger space exploration. Follow The Daily Signal to get updates on the mission!@virginiagmck pic.twitter.com/4Pfa1IGe9T

This Mission Is America First 

“In America’s 250th year, the Artemis II mission to the moon serves as a testament to American ingenuity and our ability to push the boundaries of what’s possible,” Baird said.

“This mission cannot be underestimated: It is a critical step toward a greater U.S. presence in space, on the moon, and missions to Mars ahead of our adversaries. I commend the outstanding men and women of NASA and am praying for the astronauts’ successful mission and safe return,” Baird concluded.

The crew consists of three Americans—Commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, and mission specialist Christina Koch—and one Canadian, mission specialist Jeremy Hansen. Hansen will be the first Canadian to fly on a mission to the moon.

The Artemis II astronauts are wearing a commemorative @Freedom250 patch for America’s 250th birthday ??? @NASA @NASASpox @NASAAdmin @NASAArtemis pic.twitter.com/J7sg7z5ETp— Freedom 250 (@Freedom250) April 1, 2026

The Artemis II astronauts are wearing a commemorative @Freedom250 patch for America’s 250th birthday ??? @NASA @NASASpox @NASAAdmin @NASAArtemis pic.twitter.com/J7sg7z5ETp

During prelaunch coverage, the astronauts shared that they plan to watch two movies during liftoff: “Top Gun” and “Point Break,” the latter requested by Koch, a former surfer. 

The astronauts are bringing several personal items to keep close during their 10-day mission. Wiseman and Koch are bringing letters from their families, Glover is bringing his Bible and wedding rings, and Hansen is bringing his family’s birthstones. 

The astronauts are wearing custom Artemis II patches alongside a commemorative Freedom 250 patch.

During prelaunch coverage, NASA highlighted the massive economic impact of the Artemis program. 

“Every dollar that comes out of the Treasury that goes to support this mission goes back into the Treasury three times,” a NASA spokesperson said. 

Praying for the safety and success of the Artemis II crew and @NASA as they undertake a mission that will carry humanity farther into space than we have gone in over half a century.I had the privilege of hosting these courageous pioneers at the State of the Union earlier this… pic.twitter.com/Y2PvohPb6K— Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) April 1, 2026

Praying for the safety and success of the Artemis II crew and @NASA as they undertake a mission that will carry humanity farther into space than we have gone in over half a century.I had the privilege of hosting these courageous pioneers at the State of the Union earlier this… pic.twitter.com/Y2PvohPb6K

The Artemis program has created hundreds of thousands of jobs and was built by people and companies from all 50 states and around the world.

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