Artemis II launch: A look back at prior missions to the moon including Apollo 8
Artemis II launch: A look back at prior missions to the moon including Apollo 8
MASON LEIBWed, April 1, 2026 at 8:02 AM UTC
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The Artemis II mission, set to take off as early as Wednesday, and fly around the moon, is just the latest chapter in a long series of lunar exploratory space missions deployed by NASA over the last six decades.
The Artemis II mission most similarly resembles the accomplishments of the famed Apollo 8 mission.
In the same way that Artemis II serves as the first crewed flight to test technology for future missions to the moon and Mars, Apollo 8, which launched on Dec. 21, 1968, also served as a lunar landing preparation mission, preceding Apollo 11's July 1969 lunar landing.
ABC News - PHOTO: Artemis flight path graphic
Despite the similar objectives of the two missions, Apollo 8 and Artemis II have a few distinct differences.
Apollo 8 opted to orbit the moon ten times through its mission before returning to its origin. Artemis II is doing a lunary fly-by before returning to earth.
NASA - PHOTO: Apollo 8 mission patch
Another key difference between the two missions is the makeup of the crew. Apollo 8 featured a three-man crew of Frank F. Borman II, James A. Lovell Jr. and William A. Anders.
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In comparison, Artemis II features a diverse group of four astronauts: Victor Glover, Christina Hammock Koch and Reid Wiseman of NASA and Jeremy Hansen of the Canadian Space Agency. Koch will be the first woman and Glover will be the first person of color to travel to the moon.
What to know about NASA's Artemis II moon mission including how to watch, who are the astronauts
Here is a look back at some of the key space travel missions leading up to the launch of Artemis II.
Artemis II astronauts, including 1st woman and 1st person of color to be on moon mission, share excitement about upcoming trip
Apollo 8
The Apollo 8 mission was the first human mission to the moon and it marked the first time astronauts saw the far side of the moon.
NASA/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: Apollo 8 astronauts spacecraft Commander Frank Borman, Command Module Pilot James Lovell and Lunar Module Pilot William Anders pose at Kennedy Space Center, in December 1968.
William Anders/NASA - PHOTO: The Earth rises above the moon in a picture known as Earthrise taken by Apollo 8 astronaut William Anders on December 24, 1968.
NASA/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: Apollo 8 astronauts spacecraft Commander Frank Borman, Command Module Pilot James Lovell and Lunar Module Pilot William Anders work on board the Apollo 8 spacecraft, December 25, 1968.Apollo 11
The historic Apollo 11 mission landed the first men on the moon. "One small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind," Commander Neil Armstrong said while stepping foot on the moon's surface.
Neil A. Armstrong/NASA - PHOTO: Apollo 11 astronaut Edwin 'Buzz' Aldrin stands on the moon, next to the US flag, July 20, 1969.
Neil A. Armstrong/NASA - PHOTO: Astronaut Buzz Aldrin walks on the surface of the moon during the Apollo 11 extravehicular activity as Astronaut Neil A. Armstrong is reflected in his visor, July, 20, 1969.
Neil A. Armstrong/NASA - PHOTO: Apollo 11 astronaut Edwin 'Buzz' Aldrin carries experiments as he walks on the surface of the moon, July 20, 1969.
NASA - PHOTO: Astronaut Neil A. Armstrong leaves the first human footprint on the surface of the moon, July 20, 1999.
Buzz Aldrin/NASA - PHOTO: Astronaut Neil Armstrong inside the Apollo 11 Lunar Module, July 20, 1969.Artemis I
The first Artemis I mission laid the groundwork for Artemis II's launch using the Orion spacecraft and the SLS (Space Launch System) for an uncrewed trip around the moon in November 2022.
Red Huber/Getty Images - PHOTO: Artemis 1 Space Launch System rocket, with the Orion capsule attached, launches at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, November 16, 2022 in Cape Canaveral, Florida.
Mario Tama/Pool/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: NASA's Orion Capsule is drawn to the well deck of the USS Portland following a successful uncrewed Artemis 1 Moon Mission after it splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Baja California, Mexico, December 11, 2022.
Source: “AOL Breaking”
