NASA's Artemis II Moon Rocket Rolls Out to Launch Pad Ahead of Historic Mission
NASA's Artemis II mission progresses as the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft are transported to Launch Complex 39B, marking a significant step toward the first crewed lunar mission since 1972.
NASA's Artemis II mission achieved a significant milestone with the rollout of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft to Launch Complex 39B at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The operation commenced at 7:04 a.m. EST on January 17, 2026, with the 11-million-pound stack moving at a pace of approximately one mile per hour along the four-mile route, completing the journey by 6:42 p.m. EST.
This mission marks the first crewed lunar flight since Apollo 17 in 1972. The Artemis II crew—Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, Mission Specialist Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen—will embark on a 10-day mission to orbit the Moon and return to Earth.
The rollout is a precursor to the Wet Dress Rehearsal (WDR), a comprehensive countdown simulation involving the loading of over 750,000 gallons of liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen into the rocket. This critical test is scheduled for early February and will inform the final launch date.
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman emphasized the importance of the upcoming tests, stating, "We have zero intention of communicating an actual launch date until we get through wet dress."
The Artemis II mission is a pivotal step in NASA's Artemis program, aiming to establish a sustainable human presence on the Moon and prepare for future missions to Mars.