One day after the exciting launch of NASAs Artemis II mission the four astronauts on the Orion spacecraft have already achieved another big milestone on their way back to the Moon.
Early on Thursday, April 2 2026 the crew woke up after a rest to get ready for and successfully do the perigee raise burn. This engine firing lasted 43 seconds and lifted the lowest point of Orions path around Earth. This helps make sure the spacecraft stays safely above the atmosphere as it goes around our planet.
The crew had a few hours of sleep after a busy first day that included separating from the rockets upper stage and doing some system checks. Mission control woke them up around 7 a.m. EDT with a fun song. After doing checks and a quick "burn conference " they lit the Orion service modules main engine right on schedule. Everything went smoothly with no problems reported far.
The burn made the perigee (the point to Earth in their orbit) safer. This sets the stage for moves ahead like the translunar injection burn later today that will send them toward the Moon.
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For people following the mission closely these early orbital changes are important. After yesterdays launch on the Space Launch System rocket Orion first entered a temporary orbit. The team then did an apogee raise burn (raising the point) and now this perigee raise. This helps shape the orbit into a path. This gives the astronauts time to test the spacecrafts systems in space before going to the Moon. It's like tuning a car before a long trip except this "car" is traveling hundreds of thousands of miles from home.
The crew has been sharing some moments. Views of Earth from orbit have left them in awe. Commander Reid Wiseman even talked about a moonrise as they headed in its direction. These human touches make the mission feel more real. Four people, representing NASA and the Canadian Space Agency are working together as a team while the whole world watches. There was a problem with the spacecrafts toilet system that teams are fixing. The focus is on the successful progress of the flight so far.
This perigee raise burn is another step in a 10-day test flight. It will take the crew from Earth than any humans have traveled since the Apollo era ended in 1972. They won't land on the Moon this time. The Artemis II mission is about proving that Orion is ready for space and future crewed landings. Every successful burn and system check brings NASA closer to its goal of building a presence on and around the Moon.
As the day continues the crew will rest before the big event: the translunar injection burn. It will push Orion out of Earths orbit and onto a path that loops around the Moon. The calm updates from the astronauts and ground teams are giving everyone confidence. Watching this unfold feels like seeing history happen. It's the excitement of seeing humanity take another step back into deep space. Heres hoping the rest of the journey stays smooth for Reid, Victor, Christina and Jeremy. We'll be keeping an eye on the updates as they prepare for that push, toward the Moon.
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Artemis II Perigee Raise Burn, Artemis II Flight Update April 2026, NASA Orion Moon Mission Burn, Artemis II Crew Wiseman Glover, Perigee Raise Burn Complete, Artemis II Translunar Injection, First Crewed Moon Mission Since Apollo
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