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science10h ago
Watch NASA roll its historic Artemis II moon rocket to the launch pad this weekend
Livescience.com and 1 more
- Artemis II advances toward a February 2026 launch window with rollout underway and extensive ground checks planned for the SLS and Orion systems.
- Artemis II will carriage four astronauts on a roughly 10-day lunar loop, marking NASA's first crewed Artemis mission and a return to the Moon since 1972's Apollo era.
- A fueling test slated for February 2 will help determine if Artemis II can launch within the February 6–10 window, alongside SLS and Orion checks.
- If February opportunities fail, NASA has monthly slots into March and April for Artemis II, per Artemis Launch Director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson.
- Live coverage, including a YouTube stream, tracks the Artemis II rollout and mission briefings as the rollout proceeds toward launch readiness.
- The SLS remains the most powerful rocket ever built, with a towering core and thrust designed to haul the Orion crew capsule toward lunar transfer.
- A wet dress rehearsal, scheduled for late January, will test fueling, countdown routines, and safety measures ahead of a potential February flight.
- NASA highlights life-support systems aboard Artemis II's Orion as essential for sustaining a 10-day lunar voyage.
- Delays in Orion prep contribute to Artemis II's February launch being roughly 15 months later than initially planned, reflecting schedule adjustments.
- The broader Artemis program targets a human return to the Moon by 2028, with Artemis II serving as a crucial test ahead of Artemis III.
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