NASA Rolls Artemis II Rocket to Launch Pad for February Moon Shot

NASA's giant rocket for the Artemis II mission rolled out to its launch pad at Kennedy Space Center in Florida on January 17, 2026. The move puts the spacecraft and rocket in place for the first crewed trip around the Moon since 1972. Four astronauts will fly the 10-day mission without landing, testing systems for future Moon visits. The launch could happen as early as February 6 if tests go well.

Background

The Artemis program aims to send people back to the Moon for the first time in over 50 years. Artemis II builds on the uncrewed Artemis I flight from late 2022. That test sent the Orion spacecraft on a loop around the Moon and back to Earth, proving the basic setup works. Now, with humans aboard, the focus shifts to life support and deep space operations.

The Space Launch System rocket, or SLS, stands about 322 feet tall. It sits atop a mobile launch platform carried by a crawler-transporter, the same type used for Apollo missions. On January 17, the stack left the Vehicle Assembly Building at 7:04 a.m. EST. The slow trip covered nearly four miles along a gravel path lined with river rocks. It took about 12 hours, with the rocket arriving at Launch Complex 39B at 6:42 p.m. EST. Short stops happened along the way to fix minor hardware problems and adjust equipment.

This rollout marks a big step after years of work. Teams stacked the rocket and Orion in the assembly building over recent months. The Orion capsule for this flight includes full life support gear, unlike the test version on Artemis I. The mission will take the crew farther from Earth than any previous human flight—about 7,500 kilometers past the Moon's far side.

The four astronauts trained for years. Reid Wiseman, a former head of NASA's astronaut office, leads as commander. Victor Glover serves as pilot. Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen, from Canada, round out the crew as mission specialists. They will splash down in the Pacific Ocean after 10 days in space.

Key Details

The rocket now sits at the pad for final checks. Next up is a wet dress rehearsal on February 2. This test loads the rocket with super-cold fuels, runs a full countdown, and then drains the tanks. It mimics launch day without firing the engines. NASA wants to complete tests skipped during Artemis I prep.

Launch windows start February 6 at 9:41 p.m. EST. Backup days include February 7, 8, 10, and 11. More chances come in March and April, tied to the Moon's position and power needs. Fuel leaks delayed Artemis I three times, so teams fixed those issues and plan to verify them now.

Crew and Mission Path

The crew will launch from Florida, head to the Moon, and loop around it without entering orbit. They practice key skills for later landings on Artemis III. Orion's systems must keep them alive in deep space, including air, water, and heat control. Over 1.9 million names ride along on a memory chip, sent by the public.

"We have zero intention of communicating an actual launch date until we get through wet dress rehearsal. But look, that's our first window, and if everything is tracking accordingly, I know the teams are prepared, I know the crews are prepared. We'll take it." – Jared Isaacman, NASA Administrator

Artemis launch director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson oversees pad operations. She stressed the need for a smooth rehearsal to hit February dates. Lead flight director Jeff Radigan pushed back on ideas of a rush, saying preparations follow a careful plan despite tight timelines.

What This Means

A February launch would speed up NASA's return to the Moon. Success proves the SLS and Orion ready for crews, paving the way for Artemis III. That mission plans a Moon landing as early as 2027, with the first woman and person of color on the surface. Private companies like SpaceX help with landers.

The rollout shows hardware progress after past delays. Fuel tests will spot any leaks early. If February slips, monthly windows give flexibility through spring. Crew safety stays top priority, with multiple checks before liftoff.

This flight tests limits of human space travel. The crew reaches distances no one has since Apollo 17 in 1972. Gene Cernan, Harrison Schmitt, and Ron Evans flew that last mission. Artemis II crew members become the first in over five decades to see the Moon up close from deep space.

Public interest runs high. The name-sending campaign drew millions. Schools and families track the mission, tying it to STEM education. Canada joins via Hansen, strengthening international ties under the Artemis Accords.

Teams now power up systems at the pad. Engineers check connections and run diagnostics. Astronauts practice simulations nearby. Every step builds confidence for launch. If all holds, the rocket could light up the night sky soon, sending humans toward the Moon again.