NASA’s Artemis 2 mission is making significant strides as the four astronauts prepare for their upcoming launch. The crew, consisting of commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, mission specialist Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen, is set to launch no earlier than April 2026 for a ten-day mission around the moon.
On July 31, 2025, the crew donned their launch and entry suits for the first time to enter the Orion spacecraft together at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This event, known as a suited crew test, marks a key milestone in their preparations. The astronauts expressed their excitement at being in the vehicle together, with Koch stating, “We are excited that today is the first time that we will all be in the vehicle since it’s been in this facility.” The crew aims to familiarize themselves with the spacecraft and its systems, a crucial step before their historic flight.
The suited crew test took place at the Multi-Operation Support Building at Kennedy Space Center, where the astronauts suited up in Orion’s crew survival system spacesuits. They then moved to the Multi-Payload Processing Facility to enter the Orion crew capsule. During this test, the crew experienced the spacecraft powered on, allowing them to engage with life support and communications systems, simulating the conditions they will face on launch day.
NASA outlined that the test involved challenging scenarios, including sudden leaks or life support malfunctions, to ensure the astronauts are adequately prepared for any situation. Once out of their suits, the crew practiced crucial tasks they will perform during their mission, such as stowing unneeded equipment and familiarising themselves with sleep arrangements and hygiene procedures aboard Orion.
Artemis 2 carries the weight of being the first crewed flight to the moon since Apollo 17 and the furthest humans have traveled from Earth since Apollo 13. Following the successful Artemis 1 mission in 2022, which launched NASA’s Space Launch System rocket and saw the Orion capsule orbit the moon for 25.5 days, the upcoming flight sets a high standard for the team.
Koch remarked on the pressure that comes with such success, stating, “The huge success of Artemis 1 is actually something we need to think about as a risk or even a threat to Artemis 2.” She emphasized the importance of remaining vigilant and continuing to ask challenging questions as they prepare for the mission.
As the launch approaches, the Artemis 2 crew is focused on their training and readiness, eager to make their mark in space exploration history.
