NASA’s Artemis II Moon Rocket Arrives at Launch Pad Ahead of Historic Mission
CAPE CANAVERAL, 24 January 2026 – NASA’s towering Artemis II Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft have completed their journey to the launch pad, setting the stage for humanity’s first crewed mission to the Moon in over half a century. The fully stacked vehicle, which will carry four astronauts on a pioneering lunar flyby, arrived at Launch Complex 39B at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on the evening of 18 January after an 11-hour rollout from the Vehicle Assembly Building.
The Rollout to Pad 39B
The 322-foot-tall rocket began its slow, four-mile journey at 7.04am EST on Saturday, 17 January, carried by the agency’s massive Crawler-Transporter 2. The same crawler originally built for the Apollo Saturn V missions hauled the combined 11-million-pound stack—comprising the SLS rocket, Orion spacecraft, and mobile launcher—at a top speed of just one mile per hour. The operation concluded successfully at 6.42pm EST on 18 January, with the rocket secured on the historic pad from which Apollo 10 and numerous Space Shuttle missions launched.
“It really doesn’t get much better than this,” said John Honeycutt, Artemis II mission management team chair, during a pre-rollout press conference. “This is making history.” The rollout marks a critical transition from assembly and checkout to final launch preparations for a mission that will see astronauts travel farther from Earth than any humans in history.
Artemis II: Mission at a Glance
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Mission | Artemis II – First crewed test flight of NASA’s Artemis programme |
| Primary Objective | Test SLS rocket, Orion spacecraft systems, and life support with crew in deep space |
| Crew | Commander Reid Wiseman (NASA), Pilot Victor Glover (NASA), Mission Specialist Christina Koch (NASA), Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen (Canadian Space Agency) |
| Launch Vehicle | Space Launch System (SLS) Block 1 |
| Spacecraft | Orion Crew Capsule with European Service Module (ESM) |
| Mission Duration | Approximately 10 days |
| Trajectory | Lunar flyby on a free-return path, reaching a peak distance of roughly 4,000-6,000 miles from the Moon’s surface |
| Target Launch Date | No earlier than 6 February 2026 (Launch window: 6-11 February 2026) |
The Path to Launch
With the rocket now on the pad, engineers will connect it to ground systems for power, environmental control, and propellant lines. The next major milestone is a “wet dress rehearsal” currently scheduled for 2 February. This critical test involves loading over 700,000 gallons of super-cold liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen propellant into the rocket’s core and upper stages and running through a full launch countdown sequence. The data from this rehearsal will be vital for NASA managers to confirm the vehicle’s readiness for flight.
“Additional wet dress rehearsals may be required to ensure the vehicle is completely checked out and ready for flight,” NASA stated in an update. The agency also noted that if needed, the rocket could be rolled back to the Vehicle Assembly Building for additional work.
Launch Windows and What’s Next
NASA is targeting the first available launch window, which opens on 6 February and runs through 11 February 2026. Should technical or weather issues prevent a launch in February, subsequent windows are available in March and April. The mission must launch by late April 2026 at the latest.
Artemis II is the crucial final test flight before Artemis III, which aims to land the first woman and first person of colour on the lunar surface, currently scheduled for 2027. The success of Artemis II will validate the deep space systems needed for long-term lunar exploration and future missions to Mars.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the Artemis II mission?
Artemis II is a crewed test flight designed to thoroughly vet the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft with astronauts aboard in the deep space environment. The crew will test life support systems, spacecraft manoeuvring, and communications during a lunar flyby, paving the way for future lunar landings.
Who are the Artemis II astronauts?
The four-person crew consists of NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman (commander), Victor Glover (pilot), and Christina Koch (mission specialist), alongside Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen (mission specialist). They will become the first people to travel to the vicinity of the Moon since Apollo 17 in 1972.
When will Artemis II actually launch?
NASA has stated the launch will occur “no earlier than 6 February 2026.” The final “go” for launch will be given only after the successful completion of the wet dress rehearsal and a final review of all vehicle and ground systems. The launch could occur on any day within the February 6-11 window, or in later windows in March or April.
How can I watch the launch?
NASA will provide a free live stream of the launch on NASA TV, NASA+, the agency’s website, and its social media channels. The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex will also offer limited viewing packages for the public.