Artemis II mission to complete historic lunar flyby

Longueuil, Quebec, April 5, 2026 — On April 6, 2026, the Artemis II mission is expected to complete a lunar flyby. Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Jeremy Hansen and his crewmates are set to become the space explorers who will have ventured farther into space than anyone before.

To cover this milestone, the CSA is inviting media to the John H. Chapman Space Centre in Longueuil to watch the lunar flyby. CSA experts will be available on site for interviews.

All media must present their press card at the gate and again at the reception desk. Please arrive early to avoid any security-related delays. 

• Date: April 6, 2026
• Time: The CSA Conference Centre opens at 1:30 pm ET.
  2:10 pm – NASA PAO event on passing Apollo 13 distance record
  2:45 pm – Lunar Observation Period begins
  7:05 pm – Closest approach to the Moon
  9:20 pm – Lunar Observation Period concludes
  10:50 pm – NASA PAO event post lunar flyby
• Who: 
  • Tim Haltigin, Senior Scientist, Lunar and Planetary Science, CSA
  • Caroline-Emmanuelle Morisset, Senior Scientist, Lunar and Planetary Science, CSA
  • David Saint-Jacques, Astronaut and Deputy Director, Lunar Exploration Program, CSA
• Where: John H. Chapman Space Centre
  6767 Route de l'Aéroport
  Longueuil, Quebec

This event will also be livestreamed on the CSA's YouTube channel.

Media who have questions are asked to contact the Media Relations Office. 

Additional information

The crew will make their lunar observations with real-time data analysis, guidance provided by a team of scientists and the knowledge acquired through their geology training in Labrador, Iceland and in class to describe surface textures, shapes, and colours, providing valuable data for future exploration of the Moon.

• Artemis II: Destination Moon
• Information kit – Artemis II mission
• In-flight milestones – Lunar flyby