When is the Artemis 2 launch date and time? NASA’s first crewed lunar flyby in five decades is targeting launch from Kennedy Space Center during a window that opens at 6:24 p.m. EDT on April 1, 2026. The Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft are at Launch Complex 39B, with countdown operations underway. Engineers extended the T-10 minute hold to conduct final preparations before setting a new targeted liftoff time.
The mission will send four astronauts around the Moon and back to Earth over roughly 10 days. NASA’s official live blog confirmed that tanking operations are being broadcast live, and the launch director is managing crew wakeup and pad operations based on real-time guidance. A two-hour launch window means the exact liftoff time remains flexible depending on weather and technical readiness.
Earlier this year, teams worked through an upper stage helium flow issue that prompted preparations for a possible rollback to the Vehicle Assembly Building. NASA preserved the April window by resolving the problem without moving the rocket off the pad.
Critical mission facts at a glance
- Mission: Artemis II – first crewed Artemis flight
- Launch date: April 1, 2026 (target)
- Launch window: Opens 6:24 p.m. EDT (2224 UTC)
- Launch pad: Launch Complex 39B, Kennedy Space Center
Key insights about the Artemis II launch
- Artemis II is the first crewed mission under the Artemis program, following the uncrewed Artemis I flight.
- The SLS rocket and its mobile launcher stand nearly 100 meters tall and weigh approximately 5,000 tonnes.
- The rocket was rolled out from the Vehicle Assembly Building to Pad 39B in March 2026, a 4-mile journey atop a crawler-transporter.
- The launch window may be adjusted due to weather, cloud constraints, or technical issues.
- The Orion spacecraft, named Integrity by the crew, will perform a lunar flyby without landing.
Artemis II launch snapshot
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Mission | Artemis II |
| Launch Date | April 1, 2026 (target) |
| Launch Window | 6:24 p.m. – 8:24 p.m. EDT |
| Launch Pad | Pad 39B, Kennedy Space Center |
| Rocket/Vehicle | SLS + Orion + European Service Module |
| Rocket Height (incl. platform) | ~100 m |
| Total Weight | ~5,000 tonnes |
| Crew | 4 astronauts |
| Mission Duration | ~10 days |
| Orbit | Lunar flyby, no landing |
| Next Mission | Artemis III (lunar landing target) |
Where can I watch the Artemis 2 launch?
NASA is providing live coverage through its official Artemis II live blog, which posts real-time countdown updates and milestones. The agency is also streaming tanking operations and launch sequences live on its YouTube channel.
For viewers wanting to track the mission from home, the NASA app and website offer continuous updates. The BBC is providing a live stream and video coverage, including a timelapse of the rocket rollout to the pad.
NASA’s Artemis II live blog and YouTube channel provide real-time countdown updates. The BBC also offers a live stream and pre-launch video content, including a timelapse of the SLS rollout.
How can I track Artemis 2 live?
The best way to follow the mission in real time is through NASA’s official live blog and NASA TV on YouTube. The agency’s Artemis II mission page also hosts multimedia assets, behind-the-scenes video, and podcasts. Third-party space trackers may provide live location data once Orion is in orbit.
Is there a full video of the Artemis 2 launch?
Yes. NASA streams its launches live on YouTube, and full recordings are archived on the same channel. The BBC and other news organizations are also expected to host replay footage and highlight packages shortly after liftoff.
Who is on the Artemis 2 crew?
Artemis II carries four astronauts, each with specific responsibilities for the 10-day lunar flyby. The crew roster has been publicly confirmed by NASA and includes representation from the Canadian Space Agency.
- Reid Wiseman – Commander
- Victor Glover – Pilot
- Christina Koch – Mission Specialist
- Jeremy Hansen – Mission Specialist (Canadian Space Agency)
This crew represents a diverse set of experience, including previous space station missions and, for Hansen, a first flight assignment. Their roles on Artemis II include overseeing spacecraft systems, navigation, and scientific observations during the lunar flyby.
What is the launch pad for Artemis II and how was the rocket moved?
The launch pad for Artemis II is Launch Complex 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The same historic pad was used for the Apollo program and later adapted for the Space Launch System. The rocket was moved from the Vehicle Assembly Building to Pad 39B in March 2026 using one of NASA’s two crawler-transporters.
The SLS rocket and its mobile launcher together stand nearly 100 meters tall and weigh approximately 5,000 tonnes. The 4-mile journey from the VAB to Pad 39B took several hours using NASA’s historic crawler-transporter, which travels at less than 1 mph when fully loaded.
How tall is the SLS rocket with its launch platform?
According to the European Space Agency, the SLS rocket integrated with its mobile launch platform is nearly 100 meters tall and weighs around 5,000 tonnes. That is roughly the height of a 30-story building.
What is the distance from the assembly building to Pad 39B?
The distance from the Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Complex 39B is approximately 4 miles (6.4 kilometers). The crawler-transporter carrying the fully stacked rocket took several hours to cover the route, with planned pauses for stability checks.
What is the Artemis 3 launch date?
NASA has not yet set a firm launch date for Artemis III. The mission is currently targeted for later in the 2020s, but its schedule depends directly on the outcomes of Artemis II and the readiness of the lunar landing system. The space agency has emphasized that Artemis III will aim to land astronauts near the lunar South Pole.
Unlike Artemis II, which is a lunar flyby, Artemis III is designed to land astronauts on the Moon. However, a specific launch date has not been confirmed by NASA. The schedule remains dependent on the success of Artemis II and the completion of the Human Landing System.
How does Artemis II differ from Artemis III?
Artemis II is a crewed test flight that will send four astronauts around the Moon and back without landing. Artemis III, in contrast, is planned as a crewed lunar landing mission that will put astronauts on the surface, including the first woman and the next man. The two missions represent incremental steps in NASA’s sustainable lunar exploration campaign, which includes plans for a Gateway space station and a long-term lunar base.
What are the key milestones for Artemis II so far?
- February 2026: NASA discovered a helium flow issue in the interim cryogenic propulsion stage of the SLS upper stage. Teams began preparing for a possible rollback to the VAB but preserved the April launch window.
- March 2026: The fully stacked SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft were rolled out from the Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Complex 39B, a 4-mile journey using a crawler-transporter.
- April 1, 2026 (target): Launch day operations began with tanking and countdown. NASA extended the T-10 minute hold for final preparations. The two-hour launch window opened at 6:24 p.m. EDT.
- T+0 to +10 days: Orion, named Integrity by the crew, will perform a lunar flyby, traveling around the far side of the Moon before returning to Earth for splashdown.
- Post-mission: Data from Artemis II will inform the timeline and safety requirements for Artemis III and subsequent missions under the Artemis program.
What is confirmed and what remains unclear regarding the launch?
| Established information | Information that remains uncertain |
|---|---|
| The launch pad is Pad 39B at Kennedy Space Center. | The exact liftoff time may shift within the two-hour window due to weather or last-minute technical issues. |
| The rocket is the Space Launch System with the Orion spacecraft and European Service Module. | Weather and cloud rule constraints are being monitored closely and could cause a scrub. |
| The crew consists of four astronauts: Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen. | — |
| Mission duration is targeted at approximately 10 days. | — |
| Artemis III is planned as a lunar landing mission. | Artemis III launch date has not been officially confirmed. |
Why does the Artemis II mission matter?
Artemis II represents humanity’s return to the vicinity of the Moon for the first time in over 50 years. The mission is designed to validate all of Orion’s life-support and deep-space systems with a crew on board, which is a critical step before attempting a lunar landing. Unlike the Apollo program, Artemis II is part of a broader, sustainable framework that includes international partners such as the European Space Agency, which provided the service module, and the Canadian Space Agency, which is contributing to the Gateway station.
Where can I find official Artemis II information and coverage?
Multiple authoritative sources are providing detailed coverage of the mission. NASA’s official mission page is the primary source for crew details, mission objectives, and media assets. The Wikipedia article on Artemis II offers a comprehensive encyclopedic overview with citations from NASA and ESA. News organizations such as the BBC and Fox News are also providing live updates and on-the-ground reporting from Kennedy Space Center.
“NASA’s SLS rocket lifted off from Launch Pad 39B at 6:35 p.m. EDT on April 1, 2026.”
— NASA.gov launch gallery
“Together with its launch platform, the rocket is nearly 100m tall and weighs around 5,000 tonnes.”
— BBC Newsround
“The Artemis II rocket was rolled out to its launch pad. Launch: April 2026. Duration: 10 days.”
— European Space Agency (ESA)
What is the bottom line on the Artemis II launch?
Artemis II is on track for an April 1, 2026 launch from Pad 39B, carrying four astronauts on a 10-day lunar flyby. The countdown is proceeding with real-time adjustments for weather and technical readiness, and live coverage is available through NASA’s official channels. The mission marks the first crewed flight of the Artemis program and sets the stage for future lunar landings.
Frequently asked questions about Artemis II
What is the Artemis 2 launch date countdown?
NASA provides a live countdown on its website and YouTube channel. The target launch date is April 1, 2026, with the window opening at 6:24 p.m. EDT.
Is there a full video of the Artemis 2 launch?
Yes. NASA streams its launches live on YouTube and archives the full broadcast. News partners like the BBC also host replays.
How can I track Artemis 2 live?
You can watch via NASA TV, the NASA app, or follow the official live blog on NASA’s website. Some third-party trackers may also provide real-time location data for Orion.
What is the latest update on NASA Artemis II?
The rocket is at Pad 39B, countdown operations are active, and NASA extended the T-10 hold for final checks. The launch window opens at 6:24 p.m. EDT on April 1, 2026.
What are the key events during the Artemis II mission?
Key events include launch, Earth orbit insertion, translunar injection, lunar flyby, return trajectory, and splashdown. NASA will release a detailed timeline.
What is the Artemis 3 launch date?
NASA has not confirmed an official date for Artemis III. It is targeted for later in the 2020s, pending the success of Artemis II and lander readiness.
How long will the Artemis II mission last?
The mission is planned for approximately 10 days, including the outbound transit, lunar flyby, and return to Earth.
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Sarah Mills is Managing Editor at Southampton Wire, running the daily news list and publishing schedule.