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NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion capsule arrived at launch pad 39B at Kennedy Space Center in Florida on January 17, 2026, marking a significant milestone for the Artemis II mission. Scheduled to send four astronauts on a 10-day mission around the Moon, Artemis II aims to test life support, navigation, and communication systems.

The next step is a wet dress rehearsal on February 2, 2026, where the SLS will be filled with cryogenic propellants to simulate launch operations. The earliest launch window begins on February 6, 2026, with additional windows in March and April.

The crew includes Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen. This mission will test the systems needed for future lunar landings, with Artemis III expected no earlier than 2027. Several countries plan lunar missions in the 2030s, enhancing international collaboration in space exploration.