NASA’s Artemis II astronauts fired their engines Thursday night, propelling the Orion capsule out of Earth orbit and on course for a historic lunar fly-around. The crew—Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen—completed a day-long stay in low Earth orbit to test life-support systems before committing to the moon. The translunar injection marks humanity’s first departure from Earth orbit since Apollo 17 in 1972.

During the critical engine burn, the capsule accelerated to 24,000 mph (38,000 kph), placing it on a free-return trajectory that will swing the astronauts past the moon and back to Earth. NASA officials described the maneuver as flawless, with the crew enjoying “phenomenal” views of Earth fading into the distance. Hansen reflected on the historic moment, noting that the journey embodies “humanity’s hopes for the future” as they venture farther than any humans have traveled in over 50 years.

The mission represents several milestones for diversity in space exploration. Glover is the first Black astronaut, Koch the first woman, and Hansen the first non-U.S. citizen to journey to the moon. The Artemis II crew is set to surpass the Apollo 13 distance record and may also achieve the fastest reentry speeds when they return on April 10. The mission is designed as a test flight, laying the groundwork for NASA’s plans for a sustainable lunar base and a manned landing slated for 2028.

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While en route, the crew encountered minor technical issues, including a malfunction in the capsule’s toilet system and a valve problem with the water dispenser. Astronaut Koch used contingency storage bags to manage the waste system, and the crew collected extra drinking water as a precaution. Cabin temperature adjustments were also made under guidance from Mission Control, ensuring safe and comfortable conditions for the astronauts.

The lunar flyby, scheduled for Monday, will take the capsule approximately 4,000 miles (6,400 kilometers) beyond the moon, offering the crew unprecedented views of the lunar far side and a rare total solar eclipse from space. The trajectory relies on both Earth and lunar gravity to complete a figure-eight loop back to the planet.

NASA officials emphasize that Artemis II is a crucial step in the broader Artemis program, testing critical systems while demonstrating that human exploration beyond low Earth orbit is again possible. The successful translunar injection represents a symbolic and operational leap toward sustained lunar presence and future deep-space missions.

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