Humanity is returning to the Moon — and this time, we’re building the foundation for the journey to Mars.
The Artemis Exhibit at Space Center Houston brings NASA’s next era of exploration to life through immersive storytelling, interactive experiences and hands-on learning. Explore how engineers, astronauts and innovators are shaping the future as NASA develops the technologies and partnerships that will establish a sustained human presence on the Moon.
From the first successful uncrewed Artemis I mission to the historic Artemis II crewed lunar flyby, the Artemis program is already redefining what’s possible in space exploration. As the official visitor center of NASA Johnson Space Center, Space Center Houston offers one of the most engaging places to discover the missions preparing humanity for its next giant leap.
Step inside an interactive exhibit where you can:
Artemis is NASA’s campaign to return humans to the Moon for the first time in more than 50 years and establish a long-term presence that enables future missions to Mars.
The program will expand scientific discovery, develop new technologies, inspire future generations and strengthen international partnerships. Every Artemis mission advances our understanding of how humans can safely explore deep space while creating innovations that benefit life on Earth.
Artemis I is the first in a series of increasingly complex missions to build a long-term human presence at the Moon for decades to come.
MISSION FACTS:
Launch date: Nov. 16, 2022
Mission duration: 25 days, 11 hours, 36 minutes
Total distance traveled: 1.3 million miles
Re-entry speed: 24,500 mph (Mach 32)
Splashdown: Dec. 11, 2022
The first crewed Artemis flight marks a key step toward long‑term return to the Moon and future missions to Mars. The crew of four astronauts will lift off on the approximately 10-day mission from Launch Complex 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, blazing beyond Earth’s grasp atop the agency’s mega Moon rocket. Over the course of about two days, they will check out Orion’s systems and perform a targeting demonstration test relatively close to Earth before then beginning the trek toward the Moon.
Mission Facts
Mission Type: Crewed Lunar Flyby
Launch Date: April 1, 2026
Mission Duration: 9 Days, 1 Hour, 32 Minutes
Splashdown: April 10, 2026
Crew:
Artemis III will carry out a series of objectives in low Earth orbit designed to demonstrate critical systems needed for future lunar landings, beginning with Artemis IV. During the mission, the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket will launch four crew members aboard the Orion spacecraft from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Mission Facts
Mission Type: Crewed Demonstration
Launch Date: 2027
Crew:
Objective: Demonstrate critical systems for lunar landing
HOURS TODAY
Get the latest from Space Center Houston, including upcoming events, special offers, space news, and more!
