NASA's Artemis II Moon Rocket Arrives at Launch Pad
NASA's Artemis II mission progresses as the Space Launch System and Orion spacecraft reach Launch Pad 39B, preparing for a crewed lunar flyby.
NASA's Artemis II mission has reached a significant milestone with the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft arriving at Launch Pad 39B at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The rollout commenced at 7:04 a.m. EST on January 17, 2026, and concluded at 6:42 p.m. EST, following a nearly 12-hour, four-mile journey from the Vehicle Assembly Building.
The Artemis II crew comprises NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, along with Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen. This mission marks the first crewed lunar flyby since 1972, with a planned 10-day journey around the Moon and back to Earth.
In the coming days, engineers will conduct a wet dress rehearsal, involving fueling operations and countdown procedures, to assess the rocket's readiness. The earliest launch window opens on February 6, 2026, pending successful completion of all pre-launch tests.
