On April 1, 2026, NASA successfully launched the Artemis II mission from Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39B in Florida. The towering Space Launch System (SLS) rocket lifted off at approximately 6:35 p.m. EDT, carrying four astronauts on a groundbreaking 10-day journey that marks humanity’s first crewed flight beyond low Earth orbit since the Apollo 17 mission in 1972. The crew includes NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman (commander), Victor Glover (pilot), Christina Koch (mission specialist), and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen (mission specialist). This international team is set to fly the Orion spacecraft on a free-return trajectory around the Moon, venturing farther from Earth than any humans have before, potentially breaking the record set by Apollo 13.
Metis employees provided essential contributions in the lead-up to today’s Artemis II launch. Building on their proven expertise, including significant roles in pre-launch safety verification and systems support for earlier SLS and Orion activities, Metis continued delivering critical technical support for Artemis II. Through their work on the Pad Safety Support Contract (PSSC) contract, Metis personnel helped ensure rigorous pre-launch testing and verification of critical SLS systems. Their engineers and analysts contributed to hazard analysis, risk assessment, and safety oversight at Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, helping maintain the highest standards required for human spaceflight. The Deep Space Network (DSN) team prepped to provide 24/7 inflight support to include telemetry and tracking data delivery. The Space Exploration Network Services and Evolution (SENSE) team supports mission-critical command-and-control operations from liftoff to splashdown. Metis employees worked alongside NASA teams and industry partners, applying their experience in pad operations, safety engineering, and mission support to identify and resolve potential issues well before liftoff. This ongoing commitment highlights how innovative small businesses like Metis are playing a vital role in America’s ambitious return to the Moon. Over the next 10 days, the crew will perform maneuvers, gather data on the Orion spacecraft’s performance in the lunar environment, and inspire a new generation of explorers. Upon return, they will splash down in the Pacific Ocean.
Artemis II serves as a critical crewed test flight for the SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft. The crew will conduct a lunar flyby, testing key systems in deep space, including life support, navigation, and re-entry procedures. The mission builds directly on the uncrewed Artemis I success and paves the way for future crewed lunar landings. The launch followed a smooth countdown under favorable weather conditions. The entire Metis team have demonstrated unwavering dedication to the Artemis program, with employees consistently rising to meet the complex challenges of human space exploration.