Close-up: NASA Artemis II Moon Rocket Preflight | Kennedy Space Center

Close-up: NASA Artemis II Moon Rocket Preflight | Kennedy Space Center

NASA’s Artemis II Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft are seen atop a mobile launcher at Launch Complex 39B

A closeup view of the crew access arm connected to NASA’s Orion spacecraft with the launch abort system atop NASA’s Artemis II Space Launch System (SLS) rocket at Launch Complex 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida

A closeup view of NASA’s Orion spacecraft with the launch abort system atop NASA’s Artemis II Space Launch System (SLS) rocket

This photograph shows a closeup view of one of the solid rocket boosters attached to NASA’s Artemis II Space Launch System (SLS) rocket at Launch Complex 39B with the Vehicle Assembly Building in the background at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

In this angle looking up, this photograph shows NASA’s Artemis II Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft, secured to the mobile launcher at Launch Complex 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

The Artemis II Moon crewed test flight is set for launch no earlier than 6:24 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) Wednesday, April 1, 2026 with a two-hour launch window. Additional opportunities for launch run through Monday, April 6.

Teams at NASA's Kennedy Space Center are continuing final preparations for Artemis II with an 80% chance of favorable weather ahead of a launch as early as April 1.

NASA will provide live coverage of prelaunch, launch, splashdown, and other activities for the upcoming Artemis II crewed flight test around the Moon. NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Jeremy Hansen will test the Orion spacecraft’s life support systems for the first time with humans aboard, helping lay the groundwork for future crewed Artemis missions.

Watch agency launch, lunar flyby, and splashdown coverage on:

NASA+: https://plus.nasa.gov/scheduled-events/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nasa

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NASA/

X: https://x.com/nasa

Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/nasa

Check the NASA Artemis II Mission page for updates:

https://www.nasa.gov/mission/artemis-ii/

Artemis blog: https://blogs.nasa.gov/artemis/

Wednesday, April 1 Schedule

7:45 a.m.: Coverage of tanking operations to load propellant into the SLS rocket begins, including views of the rocket and audio from a commentator.

12:50 p.m.: NASA+ coverage of launch begins. Coverage continues on YouTube after Orion’s solar array wings deploy in space.

Approximately two-and-a-half hours after launch, NASA will hold a post-launch news conference after the SLS rocket’s upper stage performs a burn to send Orion and its crew to high Earth orbit. The start time is subject to change, based on the exact liftoff time.

Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls/Frank Michaux
Image Dates: Jan. 17-March 30, 2026

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