If all goes to plan, February 2026 will see the launch of NASA's Artemis II mission, returning humans to the Moon for the first time since the Apollo era.
The astronauts onboard the Artemis II spacecraft won't be landing and setting foot on the lunar surface, but will instead be slingshotting themselves around the Moon, on a journey that will take them further from Earth than any human has travelled before.
The Moon is tidally locked to Earth, which means that, from the ground, we always see the same side.
The opposite side of the Moon is the lunar far side, and only a small group of astronauts have ever seen it with their own eyes.
The Artemis II astronauts are set to become members of the lunar far side club, when their Orion capsule takes them all the way around the Moon before returning them to Earth.
In many ways, Artemis II mirrors Apollo 8, the 1968 mission that saw NASA astronauts Frank Borman, Jim Lovell and William Anders make a journey around the Moon.
However, Artemis II will travel much further beyond the Moon than any crewed mission before it.
And the mission will include the first woman to fly to the Moon – Mission Specialist Christina Koch – the first person of colour to embark on a lunar mission – Pilot Victor Glover – as well as the first non-American to fly to the Moon – Canadian Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen.
Artemis II's four-person crew is rounded off by Commander Reid Wiseman.
This is set to be a mission of firsts, paving the way for the future Artemis III moonlanding mission, and seen by many as a stepping stone to putting human feet on Mars.
Here are eight key things you need to know about Artemis II.
We'll see photos from the astronauts' perspective
The crew aboard the Artemis II Orion capsule will be equipped with quality cameras to document their journey, with the Nikon D5 reported as being the models the Artemis II astronauts will use during the mission.
As well as high definition photos of the lunar surface for scientific study, we'll see inside the day-to-day lives of the astronauts working and living in space.
Brand new photos of the Earth as seen from beyond the Moon are sure to offer a stunning and unique perspective on our home planet, while shots of the lunar far side will give us a view of the Moon we never see from Earth.
And, undoubtedly, we'll get lots of shots of the Artemis II astronauts living and working in close quarters as they journey around the Moon, much like those captured during the Apollo missions.
Artemis II will test a new way of communicating with Earth
The Orion Artemis II Optical Communications System (O2O) uses infrared lasers instead of traditional radio waves to send and receive data.
Laser communications can transmit data at much higher speeds, making it possible to send live 4K video, images, and science data from lunar orbit back to Earth.
The downside of this technology is that it requires a clear line of sight from the vessel to Earth, so during Artemis II, a planned 'loss of signal' (LOS) lasting 45 minutes means the crew will lose communication with Mission Control during that period of time.
And it also means we won't be able to watch Netflix from the far side of the Moon just yet.
It's the furthest humans have ever travelled
As well as being the first humans to enter deep space in over 50 years, the crew of Artemis II could achieve another significant milestone.
With Artemis II set to travel approximately 400 million km (250 million miles) away, this would mark the furthest distance that humanity has ever ventured into space.
The current record is held by the crew of the Apollo 13 mission in 1970, at 248 million miles from Earth.
The astronauts can get back even if their engines fail
Artemis II will return to Earth using what's called a 'lunar free-return trajectory'.
After leaving Earth orbit, the spacecraft will travel on a very specific path towards the Moon and loop around it.
As it passes the Moon, its path is naturally bent by the Moon's gravitational pull, redirecting it back towards Earth without requiring large engine burns.
However, smaller engine burns may be required for small course corrections en route.
This 'slingshot' method is fuel-efficient, and provides a safety margin in the event of engine failure.
Artemis II is a dress rehearsal for the next Moon landing
The main purpose of the Artemis II mission is to lay the groundwork for Artemis III.
Communications, radiation shielding and life-support systems will be tested, monitored and refined ahead of NASA's next mission, Artemis III, which will land humans on the Moon for the first time since the Apollo era.
One critical aspect to be tested during Artemis II is Orion's heat shield.
Orion will re-enter Earth's atmosphere at speeds of approximately 40,000km/h, subject to an external temperature of over 2,700°C (4,890°F).
The ablative shield is designed to erode and carry heat away from the craft, similar to how the evaporation of sweat carries heat away from the human body.
Aside from the technologies, Artemis II also seeks to assess the effect of long term space travel on humans and their ability to live and work in deep space.
It's the second launch of NASA's newest rocket
NASA's new Space Launch System (SLS) was launched for the first time during 2022's Artemis I mission.
Using engines recycled from the Space Shuttle, SLS is NASA's most powerful rocket yet.
The rocket is designed to be modular, meaning it can be upgraded over time by adding 'blocks' without a complete redesign.
This contrasts to the fixed design of its predecessor, Saturn V, which saw the Apollo missions through twelve successful launches.
While Saturn V was built for simple raw power, the new SLS incorporates more modern features, prioritising safety and flexibility.
The astronauts aren't simply along for the ride
The crew of four will spend their days monitoring spacecraft systems, performing navigation checks and practising important manoeuvres and emergency procedures.
Outside of their day to day work duties, they'll be required to live on strict schedules, with specifically allotted times for sleeping, meals and exercise.
Artemis II is a stepping stone on the journey to Mars
If all goes according to plan, Artemis III is set to launch mid-2027, landing humans on the Moon for the first time since 1970.
This mission aims to land on the Moon's south pole, to assess viability for a permanent human settlement, among other scientific endeavours.
The area is believed to be suitable because it's rich in water ice, which can be extracted to produce life-sustaining oxygen and water, as well as rocket fuel.
After a lunar presence is established, NASA's next goal is Mars, and the technologies being tested during the Artemis missions will be critical in developing the tools needed for further deep space exploration.
What are your thoughts on the Artemis II mission? Let us know by emailing contactus@skyatnightmagazine.com
