Teams at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida are continuing to prepare the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft for the crewed Artemis II mission, targeted for launch as early as Wednesday, April 1, 2026. The mission will send four astronauts, three Americans and one Canadian, on a 10-day voyage around the far side of the Moon.
Launch Pad Preparations
After rolling to Launch Pad 39B atop the mobile launcher on March 20, teams began securing the rocket, spacecraft, and launch platform to the pad infrastructure. Work included establishing power supply and communications links between the rocket and ground teams, connecting emergency egress baskets to the mobile launcher, and extending the crew access arm to support access into the White Room, where astronauts board the Orion capsule.
Final Testing and Readiness
Engineers have been conducting a series of integrated system checks to verify that all components of the SLS rocket, Orion spacecraft, and ground support equipment are functioning properly ahead of the launch window. Weather monitoring and range safety assessments are ongoing as the launch date approaches.
Historic Mission Scope
Artemis II represents the first crewed lunar mission in more than half a century and marks a major milestone in NASA’s Artemis program. The four-person crew will travel beyond low Earth orbit, loop around the Moon, and return to Earth, testing critical life support, navigation, and communication systems that will be essential for future Artemis landing missions.