NASA’s Artemis II Mission Set to Launch Crew Around the Moon in March

NASA is preparing to launch Artemis II, a historic mission that will send four astronauts on a ten-day journey around the Moon, marking the first crewed mission beyond low Earth orbit since Apollo 17 in 1972. The launch is currently scheduled for no earlier than March 6, 2026.

Mission Overview

Artemis II builds upon the success of the uncrewed Artemis I mission in 2022 and will demonstrate the capabilities required for future deep space missions, including a long-term return to the Moon and eventual missions to Mars. The mission will utilize the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and the Orion spacecraft.

The Crew

The four-member crew consists of:

• Reid Wiseman
• Victor Glover
• Christina Koch
• Jeremy Hansen

Victor Glover will become the first person of color, Christina Koch the first woman, and Jeremy Hansen the first person not from the United States to travel around the Moon. NASA

Key Mission Details

• Mission Type: Crewed Lunar Flyby
• Launch Date: No Earlier Than March 6, 2026
• Mission Duration: 10 Days
• Spacecraft: Orion
• Rocket: Space Launch System (SLS)

Recent Developments: Successful Wet Dress Rehearsal

NASA recently completed a crucial wet dress rehearsal at Kennedy Space Center in Florida on February 20, 2026. This test involved fueling the SLS rocket and running through the final ten minutes of the launch countdown. Space.com reported that the test successfully completed the terminal countdown to T-29 seconds, following a brief hold due to a booster avionics system voltage anomaly. A previous test in early February was halted due to hydrogen leaks, but those issues have been resolved. Space.com

The Journey

The Artemis II mission will follow a free-return trajectory around the Moon. The first day will be spent in Earth orbit, and if all systems are nominal, the crew will then head towards the Moon, traveling to the far side. The Orion capsule, approximately the size of a minibus, will serve as the crew’s living and working space throughout the ten-day mission. Wikipedia

Looking Ahead

The Artemis II mission is a critical step towards establishing a sustainable human presence on the Moon and preparing for future missions to Mars. The success of this mission will pave the way for subsequent Artemis missions, including crewed lunar landings. NASA