NASA pilot Carrie Worth, center, and Tracy Phelps, left, board the Gulfstream G-III aircraft on Friday, March 27, 2026, at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. Manny Rodriguez, crew chief, prepares the aircraft for flight. The G-III will join other NASA aircraft to capture imagery of the Orion spacecraft’s heat shield during Artemis II reentry. The mission is part of NASA’s Scientifically Calibrated In-Flight Imagery (SCIFLI) project, based at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia.
A Gulfstream G-III takes off Friday, March 27, 2026, from NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. The G-III will join other NASA aircraft to capture imagery of the Orion spacecraft’s heat shield during Artemis II reentry. The mission is part of NASA’s Scientifically Calibrated In-Flight Imagery (SCIFLI) project, based at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia.
NASA pilot Tracy Phelps inspects the Gulfstream G-III aircraft on Friday, March 27, 2026, at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. The G-III will join other NASA aircraft to capture imagery of the Orion spacecraft’s heat shield during Artemis II reentry. The mission is part of NASA’s Scientifically Calibrated In-Flight Imagery (SCIFLI) project, based at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia.
A Gulfstream G-III takes off Friday, March 27, 2026, from NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. The G-III will join other NASA aircraft to capture imagery of the Orion spacecraft’s heat shield during Artemis II reentry. The mission is part of NASA’s Scientifically Calibrated In-Flight Imagery (SCIFLI) project, based at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia.
Manny Rodriguez, Gulfstream G-III crew chief, completes flight control checks with the pilots on Friday, March 27, 2026, at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. The G-III will join other NASA aircraft to capture imagery of the Orion spacecraft’s heat shield during Artemis II reentry. The mission is part of NASA’s Scientifically Calibrated In-Flight Imagery (SCIFLI) project, based at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia.
Scott Erickson, left, a quality assurance inspector, and Manny Rodriguez, Gulfstream G-III aircraft crew chief, remove window coverings from the aircraft on Friday, March 27, 2026, at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. The G-III will join other NASA aircraft to capture imagery of the Orion spacecraft’s heat shield during Artemis II reentry. The mission is part of NASA’s Scientifically Calibrated In-Flight Imagery (SCIFLI) project, based at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia.
A Gulfstream G-III takes off Friday, March 27, 2026, from NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. The G-III will join other NASA aircraft to capture imagery of the Orion spacecraft’s heat shield during Artemis II reentry. The mission is part of NASA’s Scientifically Calibrated In-Flight Imagery (SCIFLI) project, based at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia.
Scott Erickson, left, a quality assurance inspector, and Manny Rodriguez, Gulfstream G-III crew chief, prepare the aircraft for flight on Friday, March 27, 2026, at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. The G-III will join other NASA aircraft to capture imagery of the Orion spacecraft’s heat shield during Artemis II reentry. The mission is part of NASA’s Scientifically Calibrated In-Flight Imagery (SCIFLI) project, based at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia.
Manny Rodriguez, center, Gulfstream G-III aircraft crew chief, drives a tug while mechanic Marlon Espinoza, left, and Scott Erickson, a quality assurance inspector, prepare the aircraft for takeoff on Friday, March 27, 2026, at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. The G-III will join other NASA aircraft to capture imagery of the Orion spacecraft’s heat shield during Artemis II reentry. The mission is part of NASA’s Scientifically Calibrated In-Flight Imagery (SCIFLI) project, based at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia.
Aircraft mechanic Brian Harness, left, and mechanic Eric Apikian install a temporary aircraft window on a NASA Gulfstream G-III aircraft on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. The modifications prepare the aircraft to join three others flying at different altitudes to capture a complete view of the Orion spacecraft’s heat shield during Artemis II reentry. This effort is part of NASA’s Scientifically Calibrated In-Flight Imagery project.
Kelly Jellison, an avionics lead, installs a clip to secure wiring installed on a NASA Gulfstream G-III aircraft on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. The modifications prepare the aircraft to join three others flying at different altitudes to capture a complete view of the Orion spacecraft’s heat shield during Artemis II reentry. This effort is part of NASA’s Scientifically Calibrated In-Flight Imagery project.
A NASA Gulfstream G-III aircraft lifts off from NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. Modifications were made to the aircraft to enable it to join three others flying at different altitudes to capture a complete view of the Orion spacecraft’s heat shield during Artemis II reentry. This effort is part of NASA’s Scientifically Calibrated In-Flight Imagery project.
A NASA Gulfstream G-III aircraft lifts off from NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. Modifications were made to the aircraft to enable it to join three others flying at different altitudes to capture a complete view of the Orion spacecraft’s heat shield during Artemis II reentry. This effort is part of NASA’s Scientifically Calibrated In-Flight Imagery project.
Scott Erickson, a quality assurance inspector, reviews installation of a temporary aircraft window on a NASA Gulfstream G-III aircraft on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. The modifications prepare the aircraft to join three others flying at different altitudes to capture a complete view of the Orion spacecraft’s heat shield during Artemis II reentry. This effort is part of NASA’s Scientifically Calibrated In-Flight Imagery project.
Manny Rodriguez, Gulfstream G-III aircraft crew chief, left, and Eric Apikian, aircraft mechanic, attach an instrumented seat onto a G-III on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. The modifications prepare the aircraft to join three others flying at different altitudes to capture a complete view of the Orion spacecraft’s heat shield during Artemis II reentry. This effort is part of NASA’s Scientifically Calibrated In-Flight Imagery project.
Eric Apikian, an aircraft mechanic, vacuums a NASA Gulfstream G-III aircraft compartment after wiring was added for sensors on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. The modifications prepare the aircraft to join three others flying at different altitudes to capture a complete view of the Orion spacecraft’s heat shield during Artemis II reentry. This effort is part of NASA’s Scientifically Calibrated In-Flight Imagery project.
In this black and white infrared image, two solid rocket boosters from NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket separate from the core stage and Orion spacecraft carrying Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialist Christina Koch from NASA, along with Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen from the CSA (Canadian Space Agency) following liftoff at 6:35 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, from Launch Complex 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Artemis II test flight will take the crew members on a 10-day journey around the Moon and back.
In this black and white infrared image, NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket with the Orion spacecraft carrying Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialist Christina Koch from NASA, along with Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen from the CSA (Canadian Space Agency), lifts off at 6:35 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, from Launch Complex 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Artemis II test flight will take the crew members on a 10-day journey around the Moon and back.
In this black and white infrared image, NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket with the Orion spacecraft carrying Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialist Christina Koch from NASA, along with Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen from the CSA (Canadian Space Agency), lifts off at 6:35 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, from Launch Complex 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Artemis II test flight will take the crew members on a 10-day journey around the Moon and back.
In this black and white infrared image, NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket with the Orion spacecraft carrying Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialist Christina Koch from NASA, along with Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen from the CSA (Canadian Space Agency), lifts off at 6:35 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, from Launch Complex 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Artemis II test flight will take the crew members on a 10-day journey around the Moon and back.
NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket with the Orion spacecraft carrying Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialist Christina Koch from NASA, along with Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen from the CSA (Canadian Space Agency), lifts off at 6:35 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, from Launch Complex 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Artemis II test flight will take the crew members on a 10-day journey around the Moon and back.
NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket with the Orion spacecraft carrying Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialist Christina Koch from NASA, along with Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen from the CSA (Canadian Space Agency), lifts off at 6:35 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, from Launch Complex 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Artemis II test flight will take the crew members on a 10-day journey around the Moon and back.
NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket with the Orion spacecraft carrying Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialist Christina Koch from NASA, along with Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen from the CSA (Canadian Space Agency), lifts off at 6:35 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, from Launch Complex 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Artemis II test flight will take the crew members on a 10-day journey around the Moon and back.
NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket with the Orion spacecraft carrying Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialist Christina Koch from NASA, along with Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen from the CSA (Canadian Space Agency), lifts off at 6:35 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, from Launch Complex 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Artemis II test flight will take the crew members on a 10-day journey around the Moon and back.
The launch abort system jettisons 3 minutes and 18 seconds following liftoff of the Artemis II test flight on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, from Launch Complex 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. In the event of early ascent emergencies, the launch abort system would quickly pull the Orion spacecraft and the crew safely away from the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket. If needed for an abort, the launch abort system can accelerate from 0 to 500 mph in 2 seconds.
NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket with the Orion spacecraft carrying Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialist Christina Koch from NASA, along with Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen from the CSA (Canadian Space Agency), lifts off at 6:35 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, from Launch Complex 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Artemis II test flight will take the crew members on a 10-day journey around the Moon and back.
NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket with the Orion spacecraft carrying Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialist Christina Koch from NASA, along with Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen from the CSA (Canadian Space Agency), lifts off at 6:35 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, from Launch Complex 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Artemis II test flight will take the crew members on a 10-day journey around the Moon and back.
NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket with the Orion spacecraft carrying Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialist Christina Koch from NASA, along with Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen from the CSA (Canadian Space Agency), lifts off at 6:35 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, from Launch Complex 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Artemis II test flight will take the crew members on a 10-day journey around the Moon and back.
NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket with the Orion spacecraft carrying Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialist Christina Koch from NASA, along with Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen from the CSA (Canadian Space Agency), lifts off at 6:35 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, from Launch Complex 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Artemis II test flight will take the crew members on a 10-day journey around the Moon and back.
In this black and white infrared image, NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket with the Orion spacecraft carrying Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialist Christina Koch from NASA, along with Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen from the CSA (Canadian Space Agency), lifts off at 6:35 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, from Launch Complex 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Artemis II test flight will take the crew members on a 10-day journey around the Moon and back.
In this black and white infrared image, NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket with the Orion spacecraft carrying Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialist Christina Koch from NASA, along with Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen from the CSA (Canadian Space Agency), lifts off at 6:35 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, from Launch Complex 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Artemis II test flight will take the crew members on a 10-day journey around the Moon and back.
In this black and white infrared image, NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket with the Orion spacecraft carrying Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialist Christina Koch from NASA, along with Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen from the CSA (Canadian Space Agency), lifts off at 6:35 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, from Launch Complex 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Artemis II test flight will take the crew members on a 10-day journey around the Moon and back.
In this black and white infrared image, NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket with the Orion spacecraft carrying Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialist Christina Koch from NASA, along with Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen from the CSA (Canadian Space Agency), lifts off at 6:35 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, from Launch Complex 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Artemis II test flight will take the crew members on a 10-day journey around the Moon and back.
In this black and white infrared image, NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket with the Orion spacecraft carrying Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialist Christina Koch from NASA, along with Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen from the CSA (Canadian Space Agency), lifts off at 6:35 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, from Launch Complex 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Artemis II test flight will take the crew members on a 10-day journey around the Moon and back.
In this black and white infrared image, two solid rocket boosters from NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket separate from the core stage and Orion spacecraft carrying Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialist Christina Koch from NASA, along with Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen from the CSA (Canadian Space Agency) following liftoff at 6:35 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, from Launch Complex 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Artemis II test flight will take the crew members on a 10-day journey around the Moon and back.
Protective aerodynamic panels separate from the launch abort system following the liftoff of the Artemis II test flight on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, from Launch Complex 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. In the event of early ascent emergencies, the launch abort system would quickly pull the Orion spacecraft and the crew safely away from the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket. If needed for an abort, the launch abort system can accelerate from 0 to 500 mph in 2 seconds.
NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket with the Orion spacecraft carrying Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialist Christina Koch from NASA, along with Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen from the CSA (Canadian Space Agency), lifts off at 6:35 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, from Launch Complex 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Artemis II test flight will take the crew members on a 10-day journey around the Moon and back.
NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket with the Orion spacecraft carrying Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialist Christina Koch from NASA, along with Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen from the CSA (Canadian Space Agency), lifts off at 6:35 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, from Launch Complex 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Artemis II test flight will take the crew members on a 10-day journey around the Moon and back.
NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket with the Orion spacecraft carrying Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialist Christina Koch from NASA, along with Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen from the CSA (Canadian Space Agency), lifts off at 6:35 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, from Launch Complex 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Artemis II test flight will take the crew members on a 10-day journey around the Moon and back.
Two solid rocket boosters from NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket separate from the core stage and Orion spacecraft carrying Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialist Christina Koch from NASA, along with Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen from the CSA (Canadian Space Agency) following liftoff at 6:35 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, from Launch Complex 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Artemis II test flight will take the crew members on a 10-day journey around the Moon and back.
NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket with the Orion spacecraft carrying Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialist Christina Koch from NASA, along with Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen from the CSA (Canadian Space Agency), lifts off at 6:35 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, from Launch Complex 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Artemis II test flight will take the crew members on a 10-day journey around the Moon and back.
NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket with the Orion spacecraft carrying Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialist Christina Koch from NASA, along with Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen from the CSA (Canadian Space Agency), lifts off at 6:35 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, from Launch Complex 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Artemis II test flight will take the crew members on a 10-day journey around the Moon and back.
NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket with the Orion spacecraft carrying Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialist Christina Koch from NASA, along with Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen from the CSA (Canadian Space Agency), lifts off at 6:35 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, from Launch Complex 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Artemis II test flight will take the crew members on a 10-day journey around the Moon and back.
The launch abort system jettisons 3 minutes and 18 seconds following liftoff of the Artemis II test flight on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, from Launch Complex 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. In the event of early ascent emergencies, the launch abort system would quickly pull the Orion spacecraft and the crew safely away from the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket. If needed for an abort, the launch abort system can accelerate from 0 to 500 mph in 2 seconds.
The launch abort system jettisons 3 minutes and 18 seconds following liftoff of the Artemis II test flight on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, from Launch Complex 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. In the event of early ascent emergencies, the launch abort system would quickly pull the Orion spacecraft and the crew safely away from the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket. If needed for an abort, the launch abort system can accelerate from 0 to 500 mph in 2 seconds.
In this black and white infrared image, NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket with the Orion spacecraft carrying Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialist Christina Koch from NASA, along with Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen from the CSA (Canadian Space Agency), lifts off at 6:35 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, from Launch Complex 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Artemis II test flight will take the crew members on a 10-day journey around the Moon and back.
In this black and white infrared image, NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket with the Orion spacecraft carrying Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialist Christina Koch from NASA, along with Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen from the CSA (Canadian Space Agency), lifts off at 6:35 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, from Launch Complex 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Artemis II test flight will take the crew members on a 10-day journey around the Moon and back.
In this black and white infrared image, NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket with the Orion spacecraft carrying Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialist Christina Koch from NASA, along with Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen from the CSA (Canadian Space Agency), lifts off at 6:35 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, from Launch Complex 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Artemis II test flight will take the crew members on a 10-day journey around the Moon and back.
In this black and white infrared image, NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket with the Orion spacecraft carrying Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialist Christina Koch from NASA, along with Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen from the CSA (Canadian Space Agency), lifts off at 6:35 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, from Launch Complex 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Artemis II test flight will take the crew members on a 10-day journey around the Moon and back.