A passenger on a commercial flight from Costa Rica filmed the Artemis II mission launching from Kennedy Space Center on Wednesday, April 2, 2026. The video shows the spacecraft ascending into the sky as the plane approached the Space Coast. The four astronauts launched at 6:35 p.m. EDT, marking the first crewed mission of NASA’s Artemis program.
The flight, operated by a regional airline, was en route to Orlando when the passenger captured the launch through the window. The footage quickly spread online, with many commenting on the historic moment. The mission is part of NASA’s plan to return humans to the Moon and prepare for future lunar exploration.
Artemis II is expected to orbit the Moon at a distance of 4,000 to 6,000 miles from the lunar surface. The crew will spend 10 days in space before splashing down in the Pacific Ocean. Mission controllers at Kennedy Space Center confirmed the launch went smoothly, with no major issues reported during liftoff.
The spacecraft is scheduled to pass by the Moon on Monday, April 8, 2026, as part of its trajectory. The mission will test systems and procedures for future Artemis missions, including a planned lunar landing in 2027. Local residents along the Space Coast reported seeing the plume from the rocket as it ascended, with some describing the event as a rare opportunity to witness space history unfold nearby.