NASA Prepares Artemis II for April Launch Following Repairs and Crew Quarantine
NASA's Artemis II mission is set for an April 1 launch, with the SLS rocket returning to the launch pad after repairs and the crew completing quarantine protocols.
NASA is preparing to roll the Artemis II Space Launch System (SLS) rocket back to Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex 39B on March 20, 2026, following repairs to an electrical harness within the flight termination system. The launch remains targeted for April 1, 2026.
The Artemis II mission will carry NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen on a 10-day journey around the Moon. This mission marks the first crewed lunar mission in over 50 years.
In preparation, the crew has entered a pre-flight quarantine to ensure their health before the mission. During this period, they will limit exposure to others, avoid public places, and maintain distance from those they interact with.
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman emphasized the significance of this mission, stating, "The next chapter of America's journey to explore the solar system begins tonight. Artemis II and the SLS rocket roll out of the Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Complex 39B as we target a launch attempt as early as April 1. This mission will potentially send astronauts farther into space than any human has traveled before—around the Moon and safely back home."
The rollout of the SLS rocket to the launch pad is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 19. NASA's crawler-transporter 2 will carry the 11-million-pound stack at about 1 mph along the four-mile route from the Vehicle Assembly Building to the launch pad.
NASA will provide live coverage of the rollout on its social media platforms and app, allowing the public to witness this critical step in the Artemis II mission.