NASA's Artemis II Mission: Moon Rocket Ready for Launch

Sun Jan 18 2026 10:06:21 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

NASA's lunar ambitions take a significant leap as the Space Launch System rocket reaches the Cape Canaveral launch pad, on track for the first crewed Moon mission in over fifty years.

NASA's mega rocket has successfully moved to the launch pad in Florida, marking a critical milestone for the Artemis II mission that aims to send astronauts around the Moon. The 98-meter tall Space Launch System underwent a 12-hour journey and will soon be prepared for a series of tests ahead of its first launch opportunity in early February 2026.

Nasa's mega rocket has been moved to the launch pad in Cape Canaveral, Florida, as final preparations get underway for the first crewed mission to the Moon in more than 50 years.

Over almost 12 hours, the 98m-tall Space Launch System was carried vertically from the Vehicle Assembly Building on the 4-mile (6.5km) journey to the pad. Now in position, final tests, checks - and a dress rehearsal - will occur before the go-ahead is given for the 10-day Artemis II mission, which will see four astronauts travel around the Moon.

The earliest launch date is set for February 6, 2026, although more opportunities are available later in the month, as well as in March and April.

The rocket began moving at 07:04 local time (12:04 GMT) and arrived at Launch Pad 39B at Kennedy Space Center by 18:41 local time (23:42 GMT). Carried by a huge machine known as a crawler-transporter, it traveled at a top speed of 0.82 mph (1.3 km/h) as it trundled along, drawing live coverage of the event.

Nasa is set for a "wet dress rehearsal," a key test for fuel operations and countdown procedures, while the Artemis II crew - consisting of Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen - observed the rocket being moved.

This mission will not land on the Moon but will lay the groundwork for future landings, specifically Artemis III, which aims to be initiated no earlier than 2027. Experts anticipate the earliest feasible launch could be 2028.

As the crew prepares for their journey, Koch highlighted the unique perspective astronauts will gain from their orbit around the Earth and journey to the Moon. The crew will have the opportunity for lunar observations during their flight, providing critical data for future missions.

The Space Launch System is pivotal to the success of Artemis II, with its massive proportions and purpose-built systems designed to support astronauts on their way to the Moon and back safely. The Artemis program has faced numerous delays, and Nasa is committed to ensuring the highest safety standards as they prepare for this historic mission.