Artemis II astronauts begin putting Orion capsule through tests

The Artemis II astronauts are now putting their Orion capsule through some tests following their successful launch Wednesday.

The astronauts enjoyed about four hours of sleep before being awakened to conduct the tests.

Once complete they’ll get a few more hours of sleep.

The crew has successfully completed what is called a “perigee raise burn,” where the lowest point of the spacecraft’s orbit is moved higher.

The move will help prepare the capsule for its trans-lunar injection burn, which NASA Mission Control describes as the “last major engine firing of the mission.”

Mission Control is also looking into a concern about the cold temperatures in the capsule.

They will check the instruments to see if they can provide more heat.

Sometime later Thursday or early Friday, Artemis II is expected to move out of low Earth orbit and start its mission to the moon.

WATCH MORE: Four astronauts embark on 10-day trip around the moon

Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen and three other NASA astronauts are on their way to the moon.

It is the first time astronauts will orbit the moon since 1972 and the first time a non-American is travelling beyond low Earth orbit.

It will take four days until they get to the moon, which they will orbit, but will not land on.

Prime Minister Mark Carney said in a social media post Thursday that he called U.S. President Trump to congratulate him on the Artemis II launch, as well as developments in the Middle East conflict.

Earlier this evening I spoke with President Trump and congratulated him on the successful launch of Artemis II.

We discussed the courage of the astronauts, including Colonel Jeremy Hansen, the value of cooperation in space, and developments in the Middle East conflict.

— Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) April 2, 2026

WATCH MORE: Canadians set sights on the stars as NASA prepares launch of Artemis II