What's Next for America's Space Program?
Six months after Artemis II carried astronauts around the Moon, NASA is turning to the next steps toward a lunar landing — with some big changes along the way.
In April, four astronauts flew around the Moon for the first time in more than half a century. Now the question is how — and how quickly — America gets boots back on the lunar surface.
Artemis II: a record-setting test flight
Artemis II launched on April 1, 2026, from Kennedy Space Center aboard NASA's Space Launch System. The crew — commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, mission specialist Christina Koch, and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen — looped around the far side of the Moon and splashed down in the Pacific off San Diego on April 10 after a mission of just over nine days.
Mission highlights
- First crewed flight beyond low Earth orbit since Apollo 17 in 1972.
- Reached about 252,756 miles from Earth, breaking Apollo 13's distance record.
- Closest lunar approach of about 4,067 miles on April 6.
- Orion used a modified, steeper reentry to limit stress on its heat shield.
What changes next
NASA plans design changes to the Orion heat shield for the next mission after issues with the material were studied following earlier flights. The agency also cancelled the Lunar Gateway, the planned station in lunar orbit, in March 2026, reshaping the architecture for future landings.
The road to a landing
Future Artemis missions are intended to return astronauts to the lunar surface, relying on commercial landers and new spacesuits. Timelines depend on testing of those systems, funding decisions in Congress, and lessons learned from Artemis II.
Beyond the Moon
Commercial launch providers continue to fly crew and cargo to the International Space Station, while NASA frames the Moon as a proving ground for eventual missions to Mars.
The Artemis story so far
- Dec. 1972Apollo 17 — the last time humans traveled to the Moon until Artemis II.
- Nov. 2022Artemis I flies an uncrewed Orion capsule around the Moon and back.
- Mar. 2026NASA cancels the Lunar Gateway station in lunar orbit.
- Apr. 1–10, 2026Artemis II carries four astronauts around the Moon and sets a new distance record.
Why go back?
NASA says the Artemis program aims to establish a long-term human presence at the Moon, study its south polar region — where water ice may exist in permanently shadowed craters — and test the technology needed for eventual crewed missions to Mars. The program also involves international partners, including Canada, whose astronaut flew on Artemis II.
Quick answers
When will astronauts land on the Moon again?
NASA has not set a firm date. Timing depends on readiness of the commercial landers, new spacesuits and Orion upgrades.
Who was on Artemis II?
Commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, mission specialist Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen.