Question 1

What is Artemis II?

Accepted Answer

Artemis II is NASA's first crewed mission to the Moon since Apollo 17 in 1972. Four astronauts are flying a 10-day free-return trajectory around the Moon aboard the Orion spacecraft, launched by the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket.

Question 2

Where is Orion right now?

Accepted Answer

This tracker shows Orion's live position using real telemetry from NASA's AROW (Artemis Real-time Orbit Website) system. The data comes directly from sensors on the spacecraft, relayed through Mission Control at Johnson Space Center.

Question 3

How fast is Orion travelling?

Accepted Answer

Orion's velocity changes throughout the mission. After the Trans-Lunar Injection burn, it reaches speeds over 10 km/s. As it coasts toward the Moon, gravity slows it. During the lunar flyby, the Moon's gravity accelerates it again before return to Earth.

Question 4

How far will Artemis II go?

Accepted Answer

Artemis II will travel approximately 413,148 km from Earth at maximum distance — farther than any human mission since Apollo 17. The trajectory takes the crew around the far side of the Moon before returning to Earth.

Question 5

Will Artemis II land on the Moon?

Accepted Answer

No. Artemis II is a flyby mission — the crew will loop around the Moon and return to Earth without entering lunar orbit or landing. The first crewed lunar landing is planned for Artemis III.

Question 6

Who are the Artemis II crew?

Accepted Answer

Commander Reid Wiseman (NASA), Pilot Victor Glover (NASA), Mission Specialist Christina Koch (NASA), and Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen (Canadian Space Agency). Glover is the first person of colour, Koch the first woman, and Hansen the first non-American to travel to the vicinity of the Moon.

Question 7

Where does the live data come from?

Accepted Answer

Telemetry is sourced from NASA's AROW system, which publishes spacecraft state vectors derived from onboard sensors. This tracker polls that data and converts it into the distances and speeds shown on the dashboard.

Question 8

When will Artemis II return to Earth?

Accepted Answer

The mission is approximately 10 days long, with splashdown planned in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego. The crew module will separate from the service module, re-enter the atmosphere, and deploy parachutes for a water landing.