Last mentioned: Mar 20, 2026
Artemis III
Planned mission to land the first humans on the lunar South Pole.
Artemis II Launch
Target window for the first crewed flight of the SLS and Orion.
Target Launch
Earliest projected launch window for the Artemis II lunar mission.
Pad Arrival
The SLS/Orion stack successfully reaches Launch Pad 39B.
VAB Repairs
Engineers complete final maintenance on Orion life support components.
Rollout Delay
High winds at Kennedy Space Center prevent the SLS from moving to the pad.
Technical Reviews
NASA conducts extensive testing on Orion heat shield and life support systems.
Artemis I Success
Uncrewed Orion capsule successfully orbits the Moon and returns to Earth.
NASA has returned the Artemis II Space Launch System (SLS) rocket to the launch pad after addressing technical issues and weather-related delays. This mission, the first crewed lunar flight in over 50 years, is now targeting an early April liftoff following a successful rollout from the Vehicle Assembly Building.
NASA has officially set an April 2026 target for the Artemis II mission, marking the first time humans will return to the lunar vicinity since 1972. The mission will send a crew of four on a high-stakes flyby to validate the Space Launch System and Orion spacecraft for future deep-space exploration.