The Deep Space Network Acquires Artemis II Signal
The Deep Space Network Acquires Artemis II Signal

Description The acquisition of the radio frequency signal from the Artemis II crewed mission to the Moon by NASA’s Deep Space Network (DSN) is indicated by the peak in the data signal shown on the top computer screen.  Soon after the mission’s launch on April 1, 2026, at 6:35 p.m. EDT, NASA’s Near Space Network […]

Watching Over the Deep Space Network Before Artemis II Signal Acquisition
Watching Over the Deep Space Network Before Artemis II Signal Acquisition

Description Blanca Renteria, Artemis Deep Space Network (DSN) operations chief, monitors data at the Space Flight Operations Facility at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California shortly after Artemis II launched from the agency’s Kennedy Space Flight Center in Florida on April 1, 2026, at 6:35 p.m. EDT. The Space Flight Operations Facility operates the […]

Watching the Artemis II Launch From JPL’s Space Flight Operations Facility
Watching the Artemis II Launch From JPL’s Space Flight Operations Facility

Description Staff at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California watch the launch of the agency’s Artemis II mission to the Moon on April 1, 2026, at the Space Flight Operations Facility, which operates the Deep Space Network (DSN). Soon after launch, the Artemis II crew communicated with the Near Space Network while they were […]

JPL’s ‘Lucky Peanuts’ Before Artemis II Launch
JPL’s ‘Lucky Peanuts’ Before Artemis II Launch

Description A container of “lucky peanuts” sits above workstations within the Space Flight Operations Facility at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory shortly before the launch of the Artemis II mission to the Moon on April 1, 2026. Eating peanuts before launches and other major mission events is a longstanding tradition at JPL. The Space Flight Operations Facility operates […]

Supporting Artemis II From JPL’s Space Flight Operations Facility
Supporting Artemis II From JPL’s Space Flight Operations Facility

Description The Artemis II mission patch appears in the center screen of the Space Flight Operations Facility at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California on April 1, 2026, shortly before the mission launched to the Moon. A graphical representation of the antennas of the agency’s Deep Space Network (DSN), left, indicates which antennas are […]

Watch Artemis 2 race back to Earth in this telescope livestream tonight

A Virtual Telescope Project livestream will track NASA’s Artemis 2 Orion spacecraft as it races back toward Earth. Here’s how to watch it live.

‘We all pretty much broke down right there’: Inside the Artemis 2 astronauts’ emotional moment near the moon

Just after they broke the human spaceflight distance record, the Artemis 2 astronauts shared a powerful moment that deepened their already profound bond.

All eyes on Orion’s heat shield: Artemis 2 astronauts will hit Earth’s atmosphere at nearly 24,000 mph on April 10

Artemis 2’s Orion capsule will hit Earth’s atmosphere at nearly 24,000 mph on April 10. A heat shield and 11 parachutes will help it survive the fiery trip and splash down safely.

Twin NASA Control Rooms Support Artemis Safety, Success
Twin NASA Control Rooms Support Artemis Safety, Success

Twin control rooms at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, are actively supporting real-time mission operations in lunar orbit as part of the agency’s Artemis II mission, helping ensure astronaut safety and mission success as the crew prepares to return to Earth Friday, April 10. The LUCA (Lunar Utilization Control Area) and LESA […]

‘Audible screams of delight’ from NASA scientists over micrometeorite impacts on the moon witnessed by Artemis 2 astronauts

NASA scientists are thrilled with the Artemis 2 astronauts’ moon flyby observations —especially the micrometeor impact flashes they saw.