NASA has opened media accreditation for on-site coverage of the Artemis II mission from its Johnson Space Center in Houston, the nerve center for the first crewed flight to the Moon in over half a century. The mission, a critical step in humanity's return to deep space, is scheduled to launch no earlier than February 6, 2026.
The four-person international crew will embark on an approximately 10-day journey to orbit the Moon, testing the capabilities of the Orion spacecraft and its life-support systems before future missions land astronauts on the lunar surface.
Key Takeaways
- NASA is accepting media applications to cover the Artemis II mission from Johnson Space Center in Houston.
- The mission features a four-person crew: NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and CSA astronaut Jeremy Hansen.
- Targeted for a February 2026 launch, the 10-day flight will orbit the Moon to test spacecraft systems.
- This is the first crewed mission under the Artemis program, paving the way for future lunar landings and missions to Mars.
- Strict deadlines for media accreditation are set for January 16 (international) and January 30 (U.S. media).
Mission Control Becomes the Hub
While the monumental launch will take place at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the operational heart of the Artemis II mission will be thousands of miles away in Houston. Flight controllers at Johnson Space Center's iconic mission control will take command of the Orion spacecraft shortly after liftoff, managing every phase of its 10-day flight.
This facility has a storied history, having guided the Apollo missions to the Moon and managed decades of Space Shuttle and International Space Station operations. For Artemis II, its teams will be responsible for navigating the spacecraft, monitoring the health of the crew and vehicle, and executing the precise maneuvers required for the lunar flyby and safe return to Earth.
To keep the public and the world informed, NASA plans to host daily mission briefings from Johnson Space Center. These updates will feature agency managers and mission experts who will provide details on the flight's progress and answer questions. The briefings are scheduled to be streamed live on NASA's official YouTube channel.
A Crew Representing a New Era
The Artemis II mission is not just a test of hardware; it is the first time astronauts will fly on the Orion spacecraft. The crew selected for this historic flight represents a new generation of explorers.
The four astronauts are:
- Reid Wiseman (Commander): A veteran U.S. Navy pilot and NASA astronaut who previously served aboard the International Space Station.
- Victor Glover (Pilot): An experienced naval aviator who piloted the first operational flight of the SpaceX Crew Dragon to the ISS.
- Christina Koch (Mission Specialist): An engineer who holds the record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman.
- Jeremy Hansen (Mission Specialist): A Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut and former fighter pilot, making his first flight to space.
Hansen's inclusion marks a significant moment for international cooperation, as he will become the first non-American to venture into deep space and fly around the Moon. His presence underscores the global nature of the Artemis program, which aims to build a broad coalition for space exploration.
Mission by the Numbers
- Crew Size: 4 astronauts
- Mission Duration: Approximately 10 days
- Launch Target: No earlier than February 6, 2026
- Key Objective: First crewed test flight of the Orion spacecraft
- Destination: A flyby trajectory around the Moon
A Stepping Stone to the Moon and Mars
Artemis II is a foundational mission within NASA's broader Artemis campaign. Its primary goal is to validate that all of the Orion spacecraft's systems, from life support to navigation and re-entry, function as designed with a human crew on board. The data gathered during this flight will be essential for certifying the vehicle for future, more complex missions.
"As part of a Golden Age of innovation and exploration, Artemis will pave the way for new U.S.-crewed missions on the lunar surface in preparation to send the first astronauts to Mars."
Successfully completing this mission will clear the path for Artemis III, which is slated to be the first mission to land astronauts, including the first woman, on the Moon's surface since Apollo 17 in 1972. The long-term vision of the Artemis program extends far beyond these initial flights. NASA aims to establish a sustainable human presence on and around the Moon, using it as a proving ground for the technologies and procedures needed for the next giant leap: sending the first astronauts to Mars.
Accreditation and Logistics for Media
NASA has emphasized that interest in covering the mission from Houston is high and that physical space is limited. Media representatives must apply for accreditation through the NASA Johnson newsroom. The deadline for international media (non-U.S. citizens) is 5 p.m. CST on Friday, January 16, 2026. U.S. media must apply by Friday, January 30, 2026. The agency also noted that accreditation for the launch at Kennedy Space Center does not automatically grant access to events at Johnson Space Center; a separate confirmation is required.
The Artemis II mission represents a tangible step forward in human space exploration, moving from uncrewed tests to once again sending people beyond low-Earth orbit. The world's attention will be fixed on the crew and the teams in Houston who will guide them on their historic journey around the Moon and safely back home.