NASA's Artemis II astronauts are hours away from moon launch. Watch it here
Quick Insights
The Bottom Line
NASA's Artemis II mission is preparing to send four astronauts on a 10-day journey around the moon.
AI Summary
NASA's Artemis II mission is set to launch four astronauts on a roughly 10-day journey around the moon. The crewed flight represents a key milestone in NASA's effort to return humans to the lunar surface, building on the uncrewed Artemis I test flight that preceded it. The mission will test life-support systems and spacecraft performance in the lunar environment before NASA attempts a full landing in a subsequent Artemis mission.
What's Being Done
NASA's Artemis II mission is launching to send four astronauts around the moon.
Source Coverage Map
16 of 43 tracked sources covered this story
Following this story?
Get notified when new coverage appears
Other Sources Covering This Story
5 sourcesMultiple outlets have reported on this story. Compare perspectives from different sources.
Artemis 2: What to know about first crewed Moon mission in half a century
This article is part of a story we're tracking:
Should this be getting more attention?
You Might Have Missed
Related stories from different sources and perspectives
Government TransparencyArtemis II astronauts arrive at Florida launch site for first moon trip in 53 years - AP News
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMikgFBVV95cUxPNDNyUXJTYmVGaE12ZW1xNzc1MFh0c3lycXpMWF81VHg3a0FvNEpmemVYTVlIcXNiaTRxYkhNVmFWN2J5cTJJSFhZY19XUmxka2lEblgtT3hIc1ZCdlJMM1ZzVHFHa3ZTcjI5cmZmTjNURFNtcEtNLXVFdUh4cnlOU3ZlZ0t3LW1PZ21oWV9WSUw5QQ?oc=5" target="_blank">Artemis II astronauts arrive at Florida launch site for first moon trip in 53 years</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>
Government TransparencyMeet the Artemis crew in NASA's first astronaut mission to the moon in more than a half-century - AP News
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiigFBVV95cUxOMmtRN0w1TkNJVkotaFhfbVlvclBhTmxOSEtOUktxcmdjcXJNRUZUOUtQQ2VjTU92dVlEajFOaGpqUk1XX1BKUHFhcXNZR0U5VDV4X2k2Mk56M0djMThsVTFNNmJjR25KZ28tNEdJbzRpbFN5ZW1FMlI1YWdIRW90ZktfTXVmWGVsS1E?oc=5" target="_blank">Meet the Artemis crew in NASA's first astronaut mission to the moon in more than a half-century</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>
Government TransparencyNASA begins final countdown for first crewed moon mission in more than 50 years
NASA's Artemis II crew arrived in Florida on Friday, signaling final preparations are underway for the first crewed Moon mission since the Apollo 17 mission in 1972.
GlobalFirst Thing: Trump launches tirade against Europe for not joining Iran war
<p>Some European countries have blocked Israeli and US planes from moving weapons through their airspace. Plus, a rocket heads to the moon on Wednesday for the first time since 1972</p><p>Good morning.</p><p>Donald Trump has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/31/trump-launches-tirade-against-european-countries-not-joining-iran-war">launched a tirade against European countries</a> that refused to join the Israel-US war against Iran, calling out the UK and France, as transatlantic relations continue their downward spiral and the war wreaks havoc on the global economy.</p><p><strong>What pushback has there been from Europe?</strong> France has blocked Israeli planes from flying weapons through its airspace, while Italy refused last-minute permission for US bombers to land in Sicily. Spain has already <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/30/spain-closes-airspace-to-us-military-over-iran-war-widening-rift-with-us">denied the US use of its bases and airspac...
TechnologyWhite House launches smartphone app
The White House launched a new smart phone application on Friday aimed at providing users with information and updates directly from the Trump administration. The app includes a “news” tab with press releases from the White House, a photo gallery and a social media tab featuring the White House’s presence on a number of platforms. …
Government TransparencyUnder Trump, Wall Street regulator's headcount falls 18%, watchdog says - Reuters
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi2wFBVV95cUxPWHpzUFQ5S2dJZUhhdGs3VXFuRjRjTnlwQWJkOExDVjFvVFEyaHZIRFlPR3NOUGNPMXJXb3R0MHRDV3Q2bWNRMzdiSHNZdEtQdk5sVEJxWHpCaTloZVdiQVBqeGwxSlA0ZE83SkdUaXAxYU95bVNnU0NYVUlPR2hrclhrUFlmNm8wbTJkMGdndDNjaUV5UEg1czJJRFlLSlAyMUxXLUpscmlVaVY4OWxBTGx0SGFxTWMwTEdnenVRaDU5TVdoaDBWOHA1dDNuWTRjTmQ0T0Y1MjBuNnM?oc=5" target="_blank">Under Trump, Wall Street regulator's headcount falls 18%, watchdog says</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>
NASA starts countdown for first crewed Moon mission in over 50 years
NASA kicked off its two-day countdown Monday for its first crewed Moon mission in over 50 years, aiming for a historic launch from Florida’s Kennedy Space Center on Wednesday evening. The Artemis 2 flight, featuring four astronauts - including the first woman, a person of color, and a non-American on a lunar mission - will circle the Moon and test the agency’s new SLS rocket, a key step toward a future lunar base.
Did this story change how you see things?
Stories like this only matter when people see them. Help us get verified journalism in front of more eyes.
The Verity Ledger curates verified investigative journalism from trusted sources only.
See our sourcesMost Read This Week
'The gravest crime against humanity': What does the UN vote on slavery mean?
Senate deal reached to cap insulin costs
At Pentagon Christian service, Hegseth prays for violence 'against those who deserve no mercy'
After 16 years and $8 billion, the military's new GPS software still doesn't work
US paves way for private assets to be included in 401(k) retirement plans - Reuters
