What NASA mission, launched on April 1, 2026, was the first crewed flight beyond low Earth orbit since Apollo 17?

The recent NASA mission that marked humanity's return beyond low Earth orbit since 1972 was Artemis II, which launched on April 1, 2026. This historic flight sent four astronauts aboard the Orion spacecraft on a ten-day journey around the Moon. It was a crucial test of NASA's powerful Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and the Orion capsule, paving the way for future lunar exploration.

Artemis II was the first crewed mission of the broader Artemis program, which aims to establish a long-term human presence on the Moon and eventually send astronauts to Mars. The crew, consisting of NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, along with Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen, performed extensive checks of the spacecraft's systems in deep space. This mission was not only a technical milestone but also a testament to inclusivity in space exploration, as it included the first woman, first person of color, and first Canadian to travel beyond low Earth orbit.

The mission's trajectory took the crew farther from Earth than any humans had ever traveled before, demonstrating the capabilities required for sustained deep-space travel. Following a successful lunar flyby, the Orion spacecraft safely splashed down in the Pacific Ocean on April 10, 2026, bringing an end to this groundbreaking journey. The data and experiences gained from Artemis II are vital for preparing for subsequent Artemis missions, including the planned return of humans to the lunar surface.