Last mentioned: Feb 25, 2026
New Launch Target
NASA aims for a revised launch window for the crewed lunar flyby.
Target Launch
Scheduled liftoff for the first crewed lunar mission in over 50 years.
VAB Rollback
Planned return to the Vehicle Assembly Building for hardware repairs.
Final Integration
Orion spacecraft and SLS rocket undergo final stacking and testing at KSC.
Malfunction Detected
Helium system failure identified during launch pad preparations.
Crew Announcement
NASA and CSA name the four astronauts assigned to the Artemis II mission.
Artemis I Success
Uncrewed Orion spacecraft completes 25-day mission around the Moon.
Artemis I Success
Uncrewed SLS and Orion mission successfully completes lunar orbit.
NASA has officially postponed the Artemis II crewed lunar mission to April 2026 after a malfunction was detected in the rocket's helium system. The Space Launch System (SLS) stack must be rolled back to the Vehicle Assembly Building for repairs, marking a significant setback for the lunar program's timeline.
NASA has officially targeted March 6 for the launch of Artemis II, the first crewed mission of the Artemis program. The mission will carry four astronauts on a high-speed lunar flyby, marking the first human voyage to the vicinity of the Moon in over half a century.