Relive NASA's historic Artemis 2 launch to the moon in these stunning photos

a rocket launches above a plume of fire — The Artemis 2 mission blasts off from Kennedy Space Center on April 1 (Image credit: NASA/Joel Kowsky)

On Wednesday (April 1), NASA launched its history-making Artemis 2 mission, which will see humanity return to the vicinity of the moon for the first time in over half a century. Not only this, but Artemis 2 will carry humans farther into space than they have ever ventured before.

The Artemis 2 mission launched at 6:35 p.m. EDT (2235 GMT) atop the massive Space Launch System rocket from NASA's Kennedy Space Center, sending the Orion space capsule on a trajectory that will see astronauts Victor Glover, Christina Koch, Reid Wiseman and Jeremy Hansen fly a historic 10-day voyage around the moon and back.

As is fitting for such an important event in science history, the launch was captured from a multitude of views in stunning images that immortalize this giant leap for humanity. Want to preserve this historic moment in human spaceflight history? Check out our Artemis 2 gift guide to find the perfect gift for the space fan in your life — or yourself.

Every rocket launch begins with a waiting game. The SLS was rolled out to the historic Launch Pad 39B on March 19 at around 8 p.m. EDT (0000 GMT on March 20), for an agonizing 12-day wait.

An orange rocket on a launchpad. — NASA's Artemis 2 Space Launch System rocket waits on its mobile launcher prior to launch at Launch Complex 39B at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. (Image credit: Josh Dinner)

Finally, the moment of anticipation arrived with the SLS launching NASA's Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen of the Canadian Space Agency to space. The image below beautifully illustrates the sheer power required to get the four-person crew beyond Earth.

The launch was impressive even from close to 3 miles (5 kilometers) away at the Kennedy Space Center press site.

a rocket launches in the background behind a countdown clock reading +06 seconds — SLS blasts off from Launch Pad 39B in front of the iconic countdown clock at NASA's Kennedy Space Center press site. (Image credit: Gregg Newton / AFP via Getty Images)

Space.com's Josh Dinner captured this stunning photograph of the Artemis 2 launch from Kennedy Space Center, Florida.

The sheer power of SLS is plain to see in this shot from the press site, framed by the American and Artemis program flags.

a rocket launches above a plume of fire in the background, far behind a crowd of people — NASA's Artemis 2 mission launches above Kennedy Space Center on April 1, 2026. (Image credit: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

NASA photographer Joel Kowsky captured the plume of fire spewing from SLS as it reflected in the waters surrounding Kennedy Space Center shortly after liftoff.

The image below shows the SLS freeing itself of Earth, hauling the Artemis 2 mission to the darkening skies above Florida.

a rocket launches into a blue sky — The SLS takes to the skies (Image credit: Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Finally, the crew of Artemis 2 are well on the way to becoming the first humans to venture to the vicinity of the moon since the Apollo 17 crew in 1972.

a plume of smoke stretches into a blue sky — The Artemis 2 mission arcs through the sky over Florida shortly after launching on April 1. (Image credit: Jim WATSON / AFP via Getty Images)

Photographers were able to witness the SLS side boosters separate from its core stage shortly after the launch of Artemis 2.

Artemis 2 drew huge crowds to Florida's Space Coast. Hopeful onlookers lined bridges and other viewing areas throughout the region to see the launch in person.

a crowd of people points cameras skyward at a streak of fire and smoke far in the background — People gather to watch the launch of Artemis 2 from the A. Max Brewer Bridge in Titusville, Florida on April 1, 2026 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. (Image credit: Gerardo Mora/Getty Images)

NASA's Kennedy Space Center Visitor's Center was sold out for the event, so crowds lined every available viewing spot throughout the Space Coast.

Stay updated with the latest news about the historic mission with our Artemis 2 live blog. You can also watch the Orion spacecraft on its journey with a live telescope webcast tonight (April 2).

Robert Lea is a science journalist in the U.K. whose articles have been published in Physics World, New Scientist, Astronomy Magazine, All About Space, Newsweek and ZME Science. He also writes about science communication for Elsevier and the European Journal of Physics. Rob holds a bachelor of science degree in physics and astronomy from the U.K.’s Open University. Follow him on Twitter @sciencef1rst.

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