Summary
Highlights
The broadcast begins with an update on the upcoming apogee raise burn, scheduled for 1 hour, 46 minutes, and 9 seconds of mission elapsed time. The burn duration was initially 17 minutes and 52 seconds, with potential updates to be communicated to the crew. This high Earth orbit will put the crew on a predicted trajectory of 43,730 miles by zero statute miles. The mission will transition from tracking via TDRS satellites to the Deep Space Network. The apogee raise burn will coincide with the post-launch press briefing.
The crew reports completion of CFC install and acknowledges running slightly behind schedule for personal tasks. Updates for the Apogee Raise Burn (ARB) numbers are requested, with initial communication issues (a false alarm) before confirmed new numbers are uplinked: TIG at 1 hour, 46 minutes, 7 seconds, and Tego at 18 minutes, 6 seconds. An updated time for the handover from Tetris west to east is also provided at 2 hours, 3 minutes, 4 seconds MET. The crew prepares for eclipse powerdown.
Bethany Stevens opens the NASA Artemis II post-launch news conference, introducing Administrator Jared Isaacman, Associate Administrator Amit Shah, Dr. Lori Glaze, and Director of Flight Operations Norm Knight. Administrator Isaacman announces the successful lift-off at 6:35 p.m. on April 1, 2026, marking America's return to the moon. He reports a temporary partial loss of communications at 51 minutes into flight due to a handover issue, but comms have been restored. Orion successfully separated and deployed solar arrays. The crew is safe, secure, and in good spirits, as they prepare for the apogee raise burn and eventually Translunar Injection.
A question arises about the astronauts' first meal and dietary tracking. It's explained that while meals are planned, the initial hours are busy and physiologically challenging. Snacking is happening, and full meals might be less appealing due to zero-G acclimation. NASA's food lab tracks nutrition and calories. There were also reports of a toilet controller issue, a closed water tank crossover valve during ascent, and a transient latching current limiter failure due to radiation—all being addressed as expected for a test flight.
In response to inquiries about the mobile launcher's condition, initial imagery shows positive signs compared to Artemis I. Water suppression systems worked well, reducing corrosion. No major structural damage like blown-off elevator doors was observed. Teams are on-site for a physical inspection. Modifications made after Artemis I to harden systems appear to have been successful, and while some replacements are expected, a faster turnaround is anticipated.
The upcoming Proximity Operations demo is on track, with Victor Glover flying, Read Wiseman assisting, and Jeremy Hansen and Christina Koch observing. The ride to orbit's experience is yet to be reported by the busy crew, who are currently focusing on post-launch procedures, including their perigee and apogee raise maneuvers, and spacesuit removal. A full report on their experience, including a comparison to the Space Shuttle, is expected later.
Administrator Isaacman defines mission success as the crew splashing down safely after a ten-day mission. Every day is providing valuable data for Orion's performance, crucial for future integrated operations with a lander. The perigee raise maneuver is complete, and the apogee raise burn was expected to occur during the press conference. These burns are crucial steps to configure Orion for the Translunar Injection (TLI) burn, which will send the spacecraft to the moon. Systems like life support, environmental control, and propulsion are being thoroughly checked for redundancy before TLI, prioritizing crew safety, vehicle safety, and mission objectives.
Addressing the question of why space exploration seems more difficult now than in the 1960s, the Administrator cites reduced financial resources for NASA and less competition as factors. He emphasizes the current competition with other nations is driving renewed focus and progress. The TLI burn is scheduled for approximately 6:35 AM ET tomorrow, requiring extensive system checks and confirmation of redundancy, especially for life support and propulsion. A Mission Management Team meeting will make the final decision to proceed with TLI.
The CubeSats will be deployed approximately five hours into the flight, after Orion separates from the upper stage. Orion will not capture live images, as it will have cleared the area; each CubeSat has its own communication plan to send data back to Earth. The crew will observe a lunar eclipse during communication, a unique opportunity to view the sun's corona. The crew has been prepared with science lessons, and images are expected to be shared at some point.
The administrator addresses the comparison of Artemis II to Apollo 8, highlighting it as the opening act for future missions, combining elements of Apollo 7 and 8. The mission will inform Artemis III planning, especially regarding integrated operations with a lander. The importance of the mission for global community is emphasized, highlighting international partnerships, including a Canadian astronaut, CubeSats from Artemis Accords partners, and contributions from JAXA and the Italian Space Agency for future lunar base components. These collaborations underscore NASA's approach of not going alone in its endeavors.
Challenges for the next few days include the demanding crew workload, especially between launch and TLI, with disrupted sleep for the perigee raise burn. Mission control constantly monitors crew performance to balance tasks with welfare. The Administrator discusses the importance of inspiring the public, particularly younger generations, through the Artemis mission. He believes the imagery from the moon will further captivate global interest as the mission progresses.
One scenario for a curtailed mission (staying in Earth orbit for 3-5 days) would be if the SLS or upper stage failed to deliver Orion to the intended orbit, or if the TLI burn could not be performed. The propellant loading process this morning was successful, with hydrogen leak rates significantly below the 16% constraint, at less than 1%, and only briefly up to 1.4% during a pressure test. The seals replaced after Wet Dress Rehearsal #1 performed extremely well, allowing for an early completion of tanking. The conference concludes with a call to stay tuned for more updates on NASA's social channels.