Artemis II Crew Trains on T-38

NASA

by Monika Luabeya

February 20, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

NASA's Artemis II crew, including astronauts Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen, took to the skies on a T-38 training flight from Ellington Field on February 11, 2026. This marks an exciting milestone as they prepare for the historic Artemis II mission, set to be the first crewed flight of NASA's Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft. The mission will send astronauts around the Moon and back, testing critical systems before a planned splashdown off the California coast. The T-38 training flights are essential for acclimating the crew to high-G environments and preparing them for the rigorous demands of deep-space travel. Koch, Hansen, Reid Wiseman, and Victor Glover are working closely to ensure every aspect of the mission is flawless. This flight also serves as a reminder of NASA's ambitious goals, including establishing sustainable lunar missions and paving the way for human exploration of Mars. Artemis II represents a new era of space exploration, building on lessons learned from previous missions while introducing cutting-edge technology and innovative approaches to space travel. The success of this mission will not only validate the Orion spacecraft and Space Launch System but also set the stage for future crewed lunar landings and interplanetary adventures. For space enthusiasts, Artemis II is a thrilling opportunity to witness history in the making. By testing systems in a crewed environment, NASA is laying the groundwork for long-term human presence on the Moon and beyond. This mission underscores the importance of collaboration between international space agencies and highlights the potential for

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Originally published on NASA on 2/20/2026