The Successful Launch of Artemis II — What an Incredible Moment to Be Part Of!
Yesterday, we were thrilled to host a live online watch party hosted by John Lewin (CEO of the British Interplanetary Society) and myself, to witness history in the making.
At 6:35 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, NASA’s Artemis II lifted off from Kennedy Space Center in Florida in what can only be described as an almost textbook launch — sending four astronauts on humanity’s first crewed journey toward the Moon in over 50 years. NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch, along with Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen, are now aboard the Orion spacecraft on a 10-day mission packed with science, spacecraft tests, medical checks, survival training and more — all building toward the first human lunar flyby in more than half a century.
The energy across our Zoom call during the BIS Artemis II Watch Party was absolutely electric. With 98 members and members of the public tuned in, we witnessed every spine-tingling moment together — the ignition, the mighty roar of the world’s most powerful rocket, the SLS clearing the launch tower, the solid rocket boosters separating flawlessly, and the breathtaking moment the crew reached orbit. Each milestone was met with as much emotion as the launch itself.
Wondering what comes next for the crew? Space.com has put together a fantastic day-by-day breakdown of the full 10-day mission — well worth a read:
👉 Read more about what happens next for the crew in this 10-day mission
👉 NASA’s Moon Mission Daily Agenda
