Cover Story: Why Artemis II is the Most Important Flight of the Decade
At WeSalute, we have always stood in awe of those who push the boundaries of what is possible. From the brave men and women of our armed forces to the pioneers exploring the final frontier, the spirit of service and discovery is a common thread that binds us. Today, that spirit is focused on a historic milestone: the recent launch of Artemis II.
Following a spectacular liftoff from the Kennedy Space Center at 6:35 p.m. EDT on April 1, 2026, Artemis II is no longer a plan — it is a history-making reality. For the first time since Apollo 17 in 1972, humanity has departed Earth’s orbit to return to the vicinity of the Moon. This 10-day mission is currently carrying four extraordinary individuals travel further into deep space than any human in over half a century.
Meet the Crew: The Faces of a New Era
The success of Artemis II rests on the shoulders of a diverse and highly skilled crew. These four astronauts represent the best of NASA and the Canadian Space Agency, bringing a wealth of experience from military service and scientific research.
Commander Reid Wiseman (NASA): A U.S. Navy Captain and aviator, Wiseman previously served as a flight engineer aboard the International Space Station (ISS), where he commanded the first-ever SpaceX Crew-1 mission. His leadership is vital as the crew navigates this first piloted deep-space test of the Orion spacecraft.
Pilot Victor Glover (NASA): A Captain in the U.S. Navy and an experienced test pilot with over 3,000 flight hours, Glover made history as the pilot of the SpaceX Crew-1 mission. He has now officially become the first person of color to participate in a lunar mission, continuing a legacy of breaking barriers in flight.
Mission Specialist Christina Koch (NASA): Koch holds the record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman, having spent 328 days in space. An engineer by trade and a veteran of six spacewalks, she is now the first woman to venture to the Moon.
Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen (Canadian Space Agency): A Colonel in the Royal Canadian Air Force and a veteran fighter pilot, Hansen is making history as the first Canadian to travel to deep space, highlighting the international cooperation that defines the Artemis program.
The Mission: A Bridge to the Future
After a flawless ascent on the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, the crew spent their first 24 hours in high Earth orbit conducting critical checkouts of the Orion spacecraft, which they have named Integrity.
On the evening of April 2, the crew successfully executed the Translunar Injection (TLI) burn — a nearly six-minute engine firing that accelerated the spacecraft to over 20,000 mph. This maneuver broke them free of Earth’s gravity and set them on a four-day transit toward the Moon. The spacecraft is following a "free-return trajectory," meaning the Moon’s gravity will naturally pull Orion around its far side and set it on a path back to Earth for a planned splashdown in the Pacific Ocean on April 11.
A Historic Moment for the Space Coast
The launch was a spectacle for the ages, witnessed by an estimated 400,000 visitors who gathered on Florida’s Space Coast to witness the roar of the SLS. For those of us watching the mission unfold, Artemis II represents more than just a technical achievement; it is a bridge to the future. This flight paves the way for Artemis III, which will return human footprints to the lunar surface.
WeSalute honors the bravery of this crew, whose journey marks a definitive step forward in humanity's enduring quest to explore, understand, and reach further into the cosmos than ever before.
