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T-1 day to NASA’s Artemis 2 launch: But why isn’t it landing on the moon?
We’re not just one day away from NASA launching Artemis 2 to the moon! And the countdown has officially begun!
The four astronauts will fly a 10-day mission looping around the moon and back to Earth. Artemis 2 is a crucial test flight, designed to prove that the Orion spacecraft and its life support systems can safely carry humans to the moon. It’s all part of a step-by-step approach before committing to landing astronauts on the lunar surface.
Read more: Why won’t NASA’s Artemis 2 astronauts land on the moon when they get there?
Daisy Dobrijevic
NASA ‘GO’ for Artemis 2 launch, countdown begins
It’s official, the countdown to NASA’s Artemis 2 launch is officially underway.
The countdown clock for Artemis 2 began ticking down toward an April 1 liftoff today, March 30, at 4:44 p.m. EDT (2044 GMT) as NASA flight controllers begin final checks of flight and ground systems for launch. Liftoff remains set for April 1 at 6:24 p.m. EDT (2224 GMT).
NASA launch director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson told reporters today that the run up to the countdown start has gone extremely smooth, with only a few extremely minor ground equipment issues to deal with.
The four Artemis 2 astronauts visited the launch pad today and are spending the evening with their families at NASA’s famed astronaut beach house. They’ll also go over emergency escape procedures with launch flight controllers in case of a pad emergency, NASA officials said.
After today’s 5 p.m. EDT press conference, a fabulous double rainbow appeared over the launch site.
Perhaps it’s a sign for Artemis 2’s launch? Well have to find out on April 1.
Tariq Malik
NASA press conference beginning at 5pm EDT
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What’s on the menu for NASA’s historic moon flight?
Who’s hungry?
As NASA gears up to launch Artemis 2, there’s one question you might not have thought about: what do you actually eat on the way to the moon?
With no fridge, no stove and no resupply missions, astronauts will rely on carefully planned, space-friendly meals that can be rehydrated, heated and eaten in microgravity without making a mess.
Read more: Moon menu: Here’s what the Artemis 2 astronauts will eat during their historic mission (video)
Daisy Dobrijevic
Solar flare triggers radio blackout ahead of Artemis 2 launch
NASA will keep a close eye on space weather conditions, as disruptions like this could affect Artemis 2 preparations. Space weather can also pose a risk to astronauts, so forecasters and NASA teams are working closely together to monitor solar activity.
Read more: Could bad space weather endanger the Artemis 2 moon astronauts?
Daisy Dobrijevic
T-2 days to NASA’s Artemis moon mission launch but how does it compare to Apollo?
Who’s excited?
NASA is now just two days away from the launch of its Artemis 2 moon mission on April 1 — a mission that’s set to push humans farther into space than ever before.
Sure, the Apollo program already took us to the moon. But Artemis 2 isn’t a repeat.
This is the first crewed step toward a long-term human return to the moon and beyond. Instead of flags and footprints, the goal is something bigger: staying, exploring and preparing for future missions to Mars.
Read more: How will Artemis 2 be different from NASA’s Apollo moon missions?
NASA’s Artemis 2 astronaut moon mission is still on track to launch on April 1 at 6:24 p.m. EDT (2224 GMT).
Daisy Dobrijevic
NASA still eyeing April 1 for Artemis 2 launch
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — During a press conference on Sunday (March 29), NASA officials shared a status update about launch preparations for its Artemis 2 mission to send astronauts around the moon and back.
It would appear teams are tracking zero technical issues leading up to the liftoff window, meaning the agency is still targeting liftoff on Wednesday (April 1).
Josh Dinner
T-3 days to NASA’s Artemis 2 moon launch
NASA is now three days away from the launch of its Artemis 2 mission on April 1, and even though it’s Sunday, there’s a lot going on.
Today at 11:30 a.m. EDT (1530 GMT), the four Artemis 2 astronauts will speak with the media to answer questions, but it will be a “virtual” press conference. The astronauts are in quarantine currently at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral.
You’ll be able to watch the Artemis 2 astronauts live on Space.com, so be sure to come back then.
At 2 p.m. EDT (1800 GMT) today, NASA will hold a press conference to give a status update on the mission. We’ll have that live on the site as well.
NASA’s Artemis 2 astronaut moon mission is still on track to launch on April 1 at 6:24 p.m. EDT (2224 GMT).
Tariq Malik
How to watch NASA’s Artemis 2 mission
And if you need more details, today’s How to watch NASA’s Artemis 2 moon mission launch on April? has a guide on livestreams.
The next major events will occur on Sunday, when the Artemis 2 astronauts will speak to the press one last time before liftoff. Then, NASA will hold a press conference in the afternoon. You can find the schedule for those events in our “what time is it” article as well.
Today, Space.com’s Josh Dinner will be at the launch pad setting up remote cameras for our photo coverage of the launch. Wish him luck!
Tariq Malik
Watch Artemis 2 astronauts arriving in Florida
Artemis 2 astronauts will arrive at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida today, March 27, ahead of their mission to fly around the moon.
The crew have been in quarantine since March 20, when SLS was rolled from the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) to the pad at Launch Complex-39B (LC-39B), and will spend the days leading up to their mission continuing that quarantine at KSC.
The quartet are set to takeoff from NASA’s Johnson Space Center and land around 2:30 p.m. EDT (1830 GMT) at KSC’s Shuttle Landing Facility. NASA will broadcast their arrival live, with a remarks from agency administrator Jared Isaacman.
Artemis 2 launch less than 1 week away
It’s official, space fans, NASA is less than one week away from the launch of Artemis 2.
The first astronaut mission to the moon since NASA’s Apollo 17 in 1972 is on track for a launch on Wednesday, April 1, at 6:24 p.m. EDT (2224 GMT) from the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Our Spaceflight Editor Mike Wall has our latest update on what you need to know in or 1 week away from Artemis 2 story.
Also, we know that some of you out there have Artemis 2 on the brain (maybe even mor than Team Space.com!) and have been looking for Artemis 2 gear to sport during the mission. We have a new guide for the best Artemis 2 gifts for your aspiring astronauts in case you need some ideas.
Finally, as we close in on what appears to be a pretty solid launch target, we were wondering: Who is Artemis, the namesake of Artemis 2, really? You can see that in this story from writer Samantha Mathewson.
The Space.com team will be bringing you daily updates here through NASA’s Artemis 2 launch, as well as throughout its 10-day trip around the moon and back home for an ocean splashdown.
We look forward to sharing the ride and feel free to see Artemis 2’s journey to this date in our archives below.
Tariq Malik
SLS arrives at the pad
NASA’s Artemis 2 Space Launch System rocket has completed its journey from the Vehicle Assembly Building to LC-39B, ending a roughly 10-hour overnight journey.
The rocket and mobile launch platform were carried the 4-mile (6.5 kilometers) by NASA’s crawler-transporter 2 vehicle. First motion occurred early this morning inside the VAB, beginning the journey at 12:20 a.m. EDT (0420 GMT).
Now securely at Launch Complex-39B, ground teams will ready the rocket and pad systems for launch window that opens April 1.
Read the full story.
Artemis 2 rollout is underway
The 4-mile (6.4 kilometers) trek from the VAB to Pad 39B is expected to take up to 12 hours. You can watch the whole journey here at Space.com, courtesy of NASA.
After it reaches the pad, Artemis 2 team members will begin prepping the rocket, crew capsule and ground systems for launch, which could happen as soon as April 1. The mission will send four astronauts on a roughly 10-day journey around the moon and back to Earth.
Rollout day has arrived
As of Thursday morning (March 19), NASA is still aiming for this evening to begin the rollout of SLS from the Vehicle Assembly Building, back to the launch pad.
Following the completion of some last minute work ahead of its departure, engineers are targeting 8 p.m. EDT (0000 GMT, March 20) for first motion of the SLS and mobile launch platform crawler-transporter 2 vehicle.
The journey from the VAB to Launch Complex-39B is expected to take about 12 hours. Watch the rollout live here on Space.com, courtesy of NASA, or directly on the space agency’s YouTube channel.
Artemis 2 astronauts enter quarantine
“Kennedy” is Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida, Artemis 2’s launch site. If all goes to plan, the mission will launch on April 1 from KSC’s Pad 39B, kicking off a 10-day mission around the moon.
Artemis 2 SLS rocket is rollout ready
SLS is ready to roll back!
First motion will take place tomorrow evening, around 8 p.m. ET (0000 GMT, March 20), with a roughly 12-hour journey across the 4 miles (6.5 kilometers) between the VAB and LC-39B.
First motion confirmed: SLS begins rollback to VAB
SLS is on the move!
The Artemis 2 launch director issued the “go” order for SLS to begin its journey from Launch Complex-39B to the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center this morning (Feb. 25) at 9:38 a.m. EST (1438 GMT), with first motion confirmed about 10 minutes later, according to a NASA blog post Wednesday morning.
The rollback is expected to take about 12 hours, as SLS travels the four miles between the launchpad and VAB. Once back inside, technicians will lower platforms in the VAB’s High Bay 3 to gain entry to SLS’s upper stage access ports and begin their diagnosis and repair of helium issues discovered after the rocket’s second wet dress rehearsal Feb. 19.
NASA Artemis 2 rocket begins return journey to hangar for repairs
NASA had targeted a launch window beginning March 6 for the earliest opportunity to launch SLS with its Orion spacecraft carrying the astronauts of Artemis 2 on a 10-day mission around the moon, but a helium issue that arose after the rocket’s most recent fueling test has prompted a rollback to the VAB and a push of the mission’s launch window to April.
Artemis 2 crew to attend State of the Union address as NASA prepares SLS rollback
In the meantime, the Artemis 2 crew, assuredly not launching during their mission’s March window, are released from their pre-launch quarantine and free to move about the world as their astronaut schedules permit. Tonight, that schedule will be taking them to the U.S. Capitol for President Trump’s State of the Union address, according to an Axios report.
At the invitation of House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), the Artemis 2 crew will be in the crowd this evening as the President updates the country on its current affairs. Johnson’s state of Louisiana is home to NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility, in New Orleans, where much of SLS is constructed before being shipped to KSC for vehicle integration and launch.
The upcoming Artemis 2 mission to launch astronauts on a 10-day mission around the moon is lifting off on SLS, and the crew’s attendance tonight at Johnson’s invitation will no doubt serve as an excellent symbol of Louisiana’s contributions to the national stage.
“It is my privilege to welcome these brave and courageous astronauts as my guests at the State of the Union Address,” Johnson said in a statement to Axios.
Josh Dinner
Artemis 2 rollback targeted for 9 a.m. ET on Feb. 25
NASA has set a target time for the rollback of its Artemis 2 moon rocket — 9 a.m. EST (1400 GMT) on Wednesday (Feb. 25).
At around that time, Artemis 2’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion capsule will begin the 4-mile (6.4 kilometers) trek from Launch Pad 39B to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The duo will make the journey, which could take up to 12 hours, atop NASA’s massive Crawler Transporter-2 vehicle.
NASA is rolling Artemis 2 back to troubleshoot an issue with the SLS — an interruption in the flow of helium in the rocket’s upper stage.
“Once back in the VAB, teams will immediately begin work to install platforms to access the area of the helium flow issue,” NASA wrote in an update on Tuesday (Feb. 24). “Teams also will take advantage of the time in the VAB to replace batteries in the flight termination system and retest it, and replace additional batteries in the upper stage.”
This work will ground the rocket until at least April 1, when the next Artemis 2 launch window opens.
Mike Wall
NASA to roll Artemis 2 moon rocket off launch pad on Feb. 25
NASA plans to roll its Artemis 2 moon rocket off Kennedy Space Center‘s (KSC) Launch Pad 39B on Wednesday (Feb. 25). The agency had been eyeing Tuesday (Feb. 24) for the operation, but Mother Nature didn’t cooperate.
“Cold temperatures and high winds are expected Tuesday, and rolling on Feb. 25 gives teams enough time to complete preparations at the launch pad that were limited today by high winds in the area,” NASA officials wrote in an update on Monday evening (Feb. 23).
NASA is rolling the Artemis 2 stack back to KSC’s Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) to troubleshoot an issue with the Space Launch System rocket — specifically, a problem with helium flow in the vehicle’s upper stage. It could take up to 12 hours for NASA’s Crawler Transporter 2 vehicle, which will carry the Artemis 2 stack, to make the 4-mile (6.4 kilometers) trek from Pad 39B to the VAB.
The rollback takes the March launch window out of play for Artemis 2. The earliest the moon mission could now launch is April 1, though NASA has not said it is targeting that date.
Mike Wall
NASA rollback of Artemis 2 rocket to VAB possible this week
On this page, we’ll chronicle the move of the Artemis 2 rocket, called the Space Launch System, back into NASA’s Vehicle Assembly Building for repairs. The move, called a “rollback,” is scheduled to begin no earlier than Tuesday, Feb. 24, but only if the weather allows.
We’ll have updates on this page as they are available.
“Teams are reviewing the exact time to begin the approximately 4 mile, multi-hour trek,” NASA wrote on Sunday.
Tariq Malik
Artemis 2 arrives at launch pad for moon launch
🚀 Our moonbound Artemis II rocket is on its launch pad! The Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft rolled out from @NASAKennedy’s Vehicle Assembly Building, reaching Launch Pad 39B at 6:42pm ET (2342 UTC). Read more: https://t.co/NdRCRBfQGA pic.twitter.com/1oATLb7sTDJanuary 18, 2026
After more than 11 hours, NASA’s might Artemis 2 moon rocket has arrived at it new launch pad home for the first time.
The Space Launch System rocket that will launch NASA’s Artemis 2 astronauts around the moon arrived at its pad at Launch Complex 36B at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida at 6:42 p.m. EST (2342 GMT), more than 11 1/2 hours after leaving its Vehicle Assembly Building hangar.
“In the coming days, engineers and technicians will prepare the Artemis II rocket for the wet dress rehearsal, a test of fueling operations and countdown procedures,” NASA officials said in an update. “At the end of January, the team will load the rocket with cryogenic, or super-cold, propellants, run through the countdown, and practice safely draining the propellants from the rocket – all essential steps before the first crewed Artemis mission.”
That fueling test is actually scheduled for Feb. 2, just days ahead of theopening of NASA’s first Artemis 2 launch window on Feb. 6.
“Additional wet dress rehearsals may be required to ensure the vehicle is completely checked out and ready for flight,” NASA wrote. “If needed, NASA may rollback SLS and Orion to the Vehicle Assembly Building for additional work ahead of launch after the wet dress rehearsal.”
With the Artemis 2 SLS at the launch pad, this will be our final post of the day.
Thanks for joining us for our live coverage of the SLS rollout and have a great weekend!
Tariq Malik
Artemis 2 rocket continues toward launch pad in hour five
The NASA team behind the scenes making Artemis II possible. Thank you. https://t.co/B699LjmWTLJanuary 17, 2026
NASA has now passed the five-hour mark of today’s Artemis 2 moon rocket roll out to the launch pad. We should be just over halfway to the pad, or slightly more than halfway, depending on if NASA’s progress is following its eight-hour schedule or 10-hour plan. Here’s a wrap on how things havce gone so far:
NASA rolls Artemis 2 rocket to the pad ahead of historic moon launch
NASA said it could take between 8-10 hours for the Artemis 2 Space Launch System to reach the pad due to the slow and steady pace of its Crawler Transporter, which moves at a top speed of 1 mile per hour, but does go slower on the turn toward Launch Pad 39B, as well as on the incline up to the pad.
That slow pace is necessary to keep the massive 11 million pound load of the 322-foot-tall SLS rocket and its Mobile Launch Platform stable.
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman has taken the time to thank the vast team supprting today’s rollout for Artemis 2.
“Thanks to all those who have worked hard to get Artemis II to the pad! Just a few more hours to go,” Isaacman wrote in a social media post.
“The NASA team behind the scenes making Artemis II possible. Thank you.,” he added.
Tariq Malik
Artemis 2 rocket creeps along toward launch pad
It’s a slow roll for the Artemis 2 SLS. NASA’s giant Crawler Transporter 2 carrier vehicle is carrying the 11 million pound stack at about 1 mile an hour. That’s it’s top speed. The massive carrier vehicle was originally built to move NASA’s Saturn V rockets in the Apollo era, and later moved space shuttles to the pad as well.
Here’s a video of the 32-story rocket as it emerged from NASA’s cavernous Vehicle Assembly Building earlier today.
Tariq Malik
Artemis 2 moon rocket emerges from giant hangar
As we near the 2-hour mark of NASA’s up to 10-hour move of the Artemis 2 rocket to its Florida launch pad, the 322-foot-tall Space Launch System is fully visible and has exited its massive Vehicle Assembly Building hangar.
Above is an amazing image from Space.com’s Josh Dinner at the Kennedy Space Center as he’s monitoring the rollout to Pad 39B.
Here’s a video update from Josh via the Space.com TikTok channel.
“The place is basically a rocket cathedral,” Dinner says of the VAB.
Tariq Malik
First motion for Artemis 2 rollout!
NASA reports that the towering Artemis 2 Space Launch System rocket is officially on the move.
First motion for today’s rollout occurred at 7:04 a.m. EST (1204 GMT) as the huge rocket began its daylong trip to the launch pad. It is about 4 miles to Pad 39B from NASA’s 52-stroy Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB), where the SLS for Artemis 2 was stacked and assembled.
“It takes us a little while to get out of the building, but about an hour after we get that first motion, you’ll begin to see this beautiful vehicle cross over the threshold of the VAB and come outside for the world to have a look,” Artemis 2 Launch Director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson said Friday.
Here’s a look at our report from Friday’s Artemis 2 press conference:
Tariq Malik
Rollout day begins for NASA’s Artemis 2
Space.com’s Josh Dinner is on the scene and shared a first update before dawn at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida.
Tariq Malik
How to watch NASA’s Artemis 2 rocket rollout
Here’s our full guide from Spaceflight Editor Mike Wall:
Watch NASA roll huge Artemis 2 moon rocket out to the launch pad on Jan. 17
And here is a bit of a preview from our reporter on the seen, Josh Dinner:
Watch On
Now that we’re all set for rollout, this will be our final post of the day.
Thanks for joining us and we’ll see you bright an early on Saturday for rollout.
Artemis 2 launch in February on a tight timeline
NASA Artemis 2 rollout briefing ends
Watch On
Overall, it appears NASA is ready to move the 322-foot-tall Space Launch System rocket out to Pad 39B at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Saturday, Jan. 17, but time appears tight for the space agency’s hope to launch the four Artemis 2 astronauts to the moon in February as planned.
Artemis 2 is NASA’s first crewed Artemis mission and the first astronaut mission to the moon in over 50 years. As such, a series of tests on both the SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft for the mission must go well before it will be clear for astronauts to fly on then.
NASA has launched an SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft before, on the Artemis 1 mission in November 2022, but that was an uncrewed test flight. The Orion spacecraft on Artemis 2 is the first to include many life support systems to sustain astronuts on the 10-day mission.
NASA also wants to complete a fueling test on Feb. 2 that will help the space agency decide if it can proceed with a February launch. The February launch window is limited to a series of days between Feb. 6-10.
It took three attempts to launch Artemis 1, with fuel leaks contributing to two delays. NASA believe its has fixes in place, but needs to test them before Artemis 2 can launch.
If Artemis 2 is unable to launch in February, NASA can try again in March and April.
Artemis Launch Director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson said NASA has launch opportunities every month for Artemis 2, ranging from a few days to up to a week.
Tariq Malik
Artemis 2 rocket ready for rollout, fueling test set
Artemis 2 Launch Director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson says NASA plans to conduct a fueling test, called a “wet dress rehearsal,” on Feb. 2. Based on the rocket’s performance during that test, NASA will decide if Artemis 2 will be ready for a Feb. 6 launch.
The February launch window runs from Feb. 6 to Feb. 10. In addition to the fueling tests, NASA will need to perform a series of SLS and Orion spacecraft checks, as well a run through with Artemis 2 astronaut crew.
Tariq Malik
NASA Artemis 2 rollout press conference begins
- John Honeycutt, Artemis II mission management team chair
- Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, Artemis launch director, Exploration Ground Systems
- Jeff Radigan, Artemis II lead flight director, Flight Operations Directorate
- Lili Villarreal, landing and recovery director, Exploration Ground Systems
- Jacob Bleacher, chief exploration scientist, Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate
“I will say, it really doesn’t get much better than this,” Honeycutt says in opening remarks.” This is making history.”
Tariq Malik
NASA to hold press conference on Artemis 2 rollout
Hello, Space Fans! NASA is one day away from its historic rollout of the Artemis 2 rocket that will carry four astronauts to the moon for the first time in over 50 years.
The Artemis 2 rocket, NASA’s second Space Launch System booster, is currently scheduled to head out to Launch Pad 39B at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Saturday, Jan. 17, at 7 a.m. EST (1200 GMT). It should take several hours for the towering 322-foot rocket to reach the launch pad.
Space.com’s Josh Dinner is on the scene at Kennedy Space Center for the Artemis 2 rollout, and will share insights on what the view is like there.
But first, NASA will hold a press conference today at 12 p.m. EST (1700 GMT) to discuss the Artemis 2 rollout, plans for the Feb. 6 launch of the 10-day mission around the moon.
You can watch that press conference live in the window above.
Tariq Malik
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