NASA's first crewed lunar-mission in decades may launch in February
What's the story
NASA is gearing up for its first crewed Moon mission in over 50 years, the Artemis II. The space agency has announced that the Artemis II mission could launch as early as February 2026, with the first flight opportunity being on February 6. The exact launch date will depend on weather conditions and any potential technical issues that may require extra time to resolve.
Mission details
Artemis II: A historic mission
The Artemis II mission will be NASA's first crewed flight to the Moon since the last Apollo mission in 1972. The 10-day journey will see four astronauts test Orion's life support systems, which are critical for sustaining human passengers on longer missions. The crew will first orbit Earth twice before heading 7,564km beyond the far side of the Moon.
Launch preparations
Final preparations underway for Artemis II
NASA is now in the final stages of preparing for the Artemis II mission. The agency will soon roll out its Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft to their launch pad at Florida's Kennedy Space Center. The journey from the assembly building to Launch Pad 39B will cover four miles and take up to 12 hours.
Rehearsal plans
Wet dress rehearsal planned for late January
If everything goes according to plan, NASA will conduct a wet dress rehearsal at the end of this month. This will involve loading cryogenic propellants into the rocket and performing a full launch countdown. The rehearsal is aimed at preparing for the actual launch event of the Artemis II mission.