Artemis II Astronauts Enter Quarantine Ahead of Moon Mission

RR Team

10 hours ago

NASA’s Artemis II astronauts have officially entered quarantine ahead of their historic mission to the Moon, a significant milestone in the United States’ lunar exploration program. The crew Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen began the precautionary health stabilization program on January 23, 2026, to minimize the risk of illness before launch.

The Artemis II mission, part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, marks the first crewed lunar flight since the Apollo program. The spacecraft, consisting of the Orion capsule atop the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, completed rollout to the launch pad on January 17, 2026. NASA has proposed a potential launch window as early as February 6, 2026.

During quarantine, the crew will reside in the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building. They may have limited contact with visitors who follow strict health protocols, including wearing masks, social distancing, and avoiding public spaces. This period ensures the astronauts remain healthy and mission-ready.

The Artemis II Mission

The crew will lift off from Kennedy Space Center, orbit Earth, and then execute a trans-lunar injection to head toward the Moon. They will travel farther than any humans have gone before, performing a free-return trajectory that uses the Moon’s gravity to slingshot the spacecraft back to Earth. The mission will last approximately 10 days, concluding with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.

This mission will be the first lunar flight for ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot and continues NASA’s goal of sustainable lunar exploration. Artemis II will pave the way for Artemis III, which aims to land humans on the Moon for the first time since Apollo.

Pending NASA’s wet dress rehearsal and final checks, the astronauts will remain in quarantine until launch day. This careful preparation underscores the program’s commitment to crew safety and mission success.