The Artemis II Crew Is Preparing To Return NASA To Deep Space

The Artemis II Crew Is Preparing To Return NASA To Deep Space | Aviation Week Network

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Irene Klotz
February 18, 2026

Artemis II astronauts (from left) Pilot Victor Glover, Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen, Mission Specialist Christina Koch and Commander Reid Wiseman have been training since 2023 for NASA’s first crewed flight into deep space since 1972. 

Credit: NASA

Fifty-eight years ago, Apollo 8 astronauts Frank Borman, Jim Lovell and William Anders became the first humans to leave the gravitational bonds of Earth orbit and circle around the Moon. Emerging from the far side, they shared what became an indelible image of Earth rising over the lunar horizon…

Irene Klotz

Irene Klotz is Senior Space Editor for Aviation Week, based in Cape Canaveral. Before joining Aviation Week in 2017, Irene spent 25 years as a wire service reporter covering human and robotic spaceflight, commercial space, astronomy, science and technology for Reuters and United Press International.

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