NASA Prepares for Artemis II, First Crewed Lunar Mission Since Apollo 17
NASA is finalizing preparations for Artemis II, the first crewed mission to the Moon since 1972, set to launch in early February 2026. The mission will involve a 10-day flight around the Moon with astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen aboard the Orion spacecraft, propelled by the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket.
The Artemis II mission follows the uncrewed Artemis I mission in 2022 and aims to validate systems for future lunar landings. Key preparations include transporting the SLS and Orion to launch pad 39B at Kennedy Space Center, a process that may take up to 12 hours.
Final checks are ongoing, including the replacement of a faulty cable and valve. A critical fueling rehearsal is planned for late January. The launch window is expected to open on February 6, 2026, with further assessments needed to confirm the date.
