CLEVELAND (January 20, 2026) – In 1969, the world watched Ohio native Neil Armstrong take the first steps on the surface of the moon.  
 
Discover what it takes to send astronauts back to the moon as we celebrate the Artemis II Mission Kickoff from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, January 24 at Great Lakes Science Center.
 
Join NASA for this special event highlighting Artemis II, the first crewed mission on NASA's path to establishing a long-term presence on the moon! Targeted for launch no earlier than February 6, the Artemis II test flight will send NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen on an approximately 10-day journey around the moon and back.
 
As the agency’s leader for power and propulsion, NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland plays a crucial role in the Artemis program by developing in-space propulsion and power systems, testing flight hardware, and improving our understanding of the fundamental sciences of spaceflight.
 
Enjoy the following NASA activities on the Science Center’s lower-level Promenade:

  • Discover how Ohio’s NASA center is contributing to America’s return to the moon.
  • Chat with NASA engineers and scientists working on the Artemis missions.
  • See models and demonstrations highlighting the Orion spacecraft, Space Launch System rocket, Gateway lunar space station, power for the surface of the moon, lunar rover tires, and more.
  • Get a picture of yourself standing on the moon and explore NASA’s Gateway lunar space station in augmented reality.
  • Find out how to watch the Artemis II mission’s launch, voyage around the moon, and return to Earth. 

Access to the Science Center’s Promenade area and the NASA activities do not require admission. The Science Center will also be showing NASA’s recently released short film, “Moonbound: Episode 1,” which will be playing for free in the Cleveland Clinic DOME Theater at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.  

About Great Lakes Science Center 
Great Lakes Science Center celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2026, having reached more than 10 million visitors, and serving as a STEM education leader in Northeast Ohio. The Science Center produced Total Eclipse Fest in 2024, one of the largest free eclipse events in the country and is home to the NASA Glenn Visitor Center. The Science Center makes science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) come alive for more than 300,000 visitors a year through hundreds of hands-on exhibits, temporary exhibitions, the Cleveland Clinic DOME Theater, historic Steamship William G. Mather, daily science demonstrations, seasonal camps and more. The Science Center, a 501(c)(3) non-profit institution, earned a Charity Navigator Four Star Rating in 2025, receiving top scores for financial efficiency, sustainability and trustworthiness. The Science Center is supported in part by the residents of Cuyahoga County through a public grant from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture. Visit GreatScience.com for more information.