Artemis-II Moon launch on March 6: Why is Nasa saying it’s a test flight?

Nasa is preparing to send humans back to the lunar vicinity for the first time in over five decades. The Artemis II mission, scheduled for launch on March 6, 2026, from the Kennedy Space Center, is not just a trip down memory lane.

While it will carry a crew of four, the space agency is adamant about calling it a test flight. This 10-day journey is designed to push the boundaries of modern technology before we commit to a full-scale landing.

WHY IS ARTEMIS II CALLED A TEST FLIGHT?

Although it looks like a mission from the Apollo era, Artemis II is a complex trial of the Space Launch System (SLS) and the Orion spacecraft.

Since this is the first time humans will board these new vehicles, Nasa must ensure that the life-support systems work perfectly under the stresses of deep space.

The massive Space Launch System rocket stands ready at Kennedy Space Center for its historic March 6 lift-off. (Photo: Nasa)

For the first 24 hours, the crew will stay in high-Earth orbit to test the manual piloting and oxygen levels. Only after every system passes this high-stakes exam will they fire the engines to head for the Moon.

WHAT WILL THE CREW DO DURING THE MISSION?

The crew, consisting of Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, Mission Specialist Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen, will not actually land on the lunar surface.

Instead, they will perform a lunar flyby. They will travel 7,600 kilometres beyond the far side of the Moon, further than any human has ever gone.

Commander Reid Wiseman and his crew will be the first humans to see the lunar far side since 1972. (Photo: Nasa)

During this time, they will monitor radiation levels and test deep-space communication tools. This data is essential for the Artemis III mission, which aims to land the first woman and the first person of colour on the Moon.

HOW DOES THE FREE-RETURN TRAJECTORY WORK?

Safety is the priority for any test flight. Artemis II will use a free-return trajectory, a clever path that uses the gravity of the Moon to naturally pull the spacecraft back to Earth.

The Orion spacecraft will test its critical life-support systems while orbiting Earth before heading to the Moon. (Photo: Nasa)

If the engines fail during the lunar loop, the laws of physics will act as a cosmic safety net, ensuring the crew returns home without needing extra fuel. This mission will pave the way for a permanent human presence on the lunar surface.