Launch Window and Mission Timeline
NASA has outlined a launch window running from February 8 through February 11, giving mission planners flexibility to account for weather and technical conditions. While fueling operations for the rehearsal are taking place at Launch Pad 39A, the actual Artemis II launch will occur from the nearby Launch Pad 39B, a historic site previously used for Apollo and Space Shuttle missions.
Once launched, the crewed Orion spacecraft will carry four astronauts on a 10-day journey beyond Earth orbit. The mission includes a close flyby of the Moon, allowing engineers to evaluate Orion’s systems, navigation, and heat shield performance in deep space conditions. The spacecraft will then loop back toward Earth using the Moon’s gravity to assist its return.
Astronauts Heading Beyond Earth Orbit
The Artemis II crew includes NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, along with Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen. The mission will mark the first time humans travel to lunar distance since Apollo 17 in 1972.
Although Artemis II will not land on the Moon, it is a crucial stepping stone for future missions. NASA views the flight as a full end-to-end test of its human deep-space exploration system, combining the SLS rocket, Orion capsule, and ground infrastructure.
