NASA Artemis II Moon Test Flight Launch | Kennedy Space Center

NASA Artemis II Moon Test Flight Launch | Kennedy Space Center

NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket carrying the Orion spacecraft with NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, commander; Victor Glover, pilot; Christina Koch, mission specialist; and Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, mission specialist onboard, was successfully launched at 6:35 p.m. EDT Wednesday, April 1, 2026, for the Artemis II Mission from Launch Complex 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

NASA’s Artemis II Mission will take Wiseman, Glover, Koch, and Hansen on a 10-day journey around the Moon and back aboard their Orion spacecraft.

Watch Artemis II Mission coverage on:

NASA+: https://plus.nasa.gov/scheduled-events/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nasa

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NASA/

X: https://x.com/nasa

Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/nasa

Check the Artemis blog for updates: 

https://blogs.nasa.gov/artemis/

Image Credit: United Launch Alliance

Date: April 1, 2026

#NASA #Space #Science #Earth #Moon #ArtemisProgram #ArtemisII #OrionSpacecraft #SLS #CrewedMissions #Astronauts #ReidWiseman #VictorGlover #ChristinaKoch #JeremyHansen #DeepSpace #HumanSpaceflight #SolarSystem #SpaceExploration #UnitedStates #STEM #Education

NASA Artemis II Moon Test Flight Launch | Kennedy Space Center

NASA Artemis II Moon Test Flight Launch | Kennedy Space Center

NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket carrying the Orion spacecraft with NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, commander; Victor Glover, pilot; Christina Koch, mission specialist; and Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, mission specialist onboard, was successfully launched at 6:35 p.m. EDT Wednesday, April 1, 2026, for the Artemis II Mission from Launch Complex 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

NASA’s Artemis II Mission will take Wiseman, Glover, Koch, and Hansen on a 10-day journey around the Moon and back aboard their Orion spacecraft.

Watch Artemis II Mission coverage on:

NASA+: https://plus.nasa.gov/scheduled-events/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nasa

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NASA/

X: https://x.com/nasa

Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/nasa

Check the Artemis blog for updates: 

https://blogs.nasa.gov/artemis/

Image Credits: NASA/Bill Ingalls/Aubrey Gemignani

Date: April 1, 2026

#NASA #Space #Science #Earth #Moon #ArtemisProgram #ArtemisII #OrionSpacecraft #SLS #CrewedMissions #Astronauts #ReidWiseman #VictorGlover #ChristinaKoch #JeremyHansen #DeepSpace #HumanSpaceflight #SolarSystem #SpaceExploration #UnitedStates #STEM #Education

NASA Artemis II Moon Test Flight Launch | Kennedy Space Center

NASA Artemis II Moon Test Flight Launch | Kennedy Space Center

NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket carrying the Orion spacecraft with NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, commander; Victor Glover, pilot; Christina Koch, mission specialist; and Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, mission specialist onboard, was successfully launched at 6:35 p.m. EDT for the Artemis II Mission, Wednesday, April 1, 2026, from Launch Complex 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. 

NASA’s Artemis II Mission will take Wiseman, Glover, Koch, and Hansen on a 10-day journey around the Moon and back aboard their Orion spacecraft.

Watch Artemis II Mission coverage on:

NASA+: https://plus.nasa.gov/scheduled-events/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nasa

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NASA/

X: https://x.com/nasa

Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/nasa

Check the Artemis blog for updates: 

https://blogs.nasa.gov/artemis/

Image Credit: NASA

Duration: 2 minutes

Date: April 1, 2026

#NASA #Space #Science #Earth #Moon #ArtemisProgram #ArtemisII #OrionSpacecraft #SLS #CrewedMissions #Astronauts #ReidWiseman #VictorGlover #ChristinaKoch #JeremyHansen #DeepSpace #HumanSpaceflight #SolarSystem #SpaceExploration #UnitedStates #STEM #Education #HD #Video

Expedition 74 Crew Sees Artemis II Moon Rocket Trails | International Space Station

Expedition 74 Crew Sees Artemis II Moon Rocket Trails | International Space Station

Expedition 74 Flight Engineer and NASA Astronaut Chris Williams: "Godspeed Artemis II! Our crew on the International Space Station stayed up to watch the launch of our friends on their historic mission to the Moon. We were over the Northern Pacific Ocean at the time of launch, so we couldn’t see it directly (we watched it on NASA TV). However, about a half hour later, as we orbited a few hundred kilometers from Florida, I was able to catch a glimpse of the remnants of the trail the rocket made as it passed through the atmosphere! You can see the effect of the wind at different altitudes."

NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket carrying the Orion spacecraft with NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, commander; Victor Glover, pilot; Christina Koch, mission specialist; and Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, mission specialist onboard, were successfully launched at 6:35 p.m. EDT on their Artemis II mission, Wednesday, April 1, 2026, from Launch Complex 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. 

NASA’s Artemis II mission will take Wiseman, Glover, Koch, and Hansen on a 10-day journey around the Moon and back aboard their Orion spacecraft.

Watch Artemis II Mission coverage on:

NASA+: https://plus.nasa.gov/scheduled-events/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nasa

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NASA/

X: https://x.com/nasa

Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/nasa

Check the Artemis blog for updates: 

https://blogs.nasa.gov/artemis/

Follow Expedition 74:
https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/

Expedition 74 Crew
Station Commander: Sergey-Kud Sverchkov (Russia)
Roscosmos (Russia) Flight Engineers: Andrey Fedyaev, Sergei Mikaev

European Space Agency Flight Engineer: Sophie Adenot

NASA Flight Engineers: Jessica Meir, Jack Hathaway, Chris Williams

An international partnership of space agencies provides and operates the elements of the International Space Station (ISS). The principals are the space agencies of the United States, Russia, Europe, Japan, and Canada.

Image Credit: NASA/C. Williams

Date: April 1, 2026

#NASA #Space #Science #Earth #ISS #Expedition74 #Astronauts #ChrisWilliams #AstronautPhotography #Moon #ArtemisProgram #ArtemisII #OrionSpacecraft #SLS #CrewedMissions #ReidWiseman #VictorGlover #ChristinaKoch #JeremyHansen #DeepSpace #HumanSpaceflight #SolarSystem #SpaceExploration #UnitedStates #STEM #Education

NASA Artemis II Moon Launch | Kennedy Space Center

NASA Artemis II Moon Launch | Kennedy Space Center

NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket carrying the Orion spacecraft with NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, commander; Victor Glover, pilot; Christina Koch, mission specialist; and Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, mission specialist, onboard launches on the Artemis II mission, Wednesday, April 1, 2026, from Launch Complex 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. 

NASA’s Artemis II mission will take Wiseman, Glover, Koch, and Hansen on a 10-day journey around the Moon and back aboard their Orion spacecraft. The quartet launched at 6:35 p.m. EDT, from Launch Complex 39B at the Kennedy Space Center. 

Powering Orion on this historic voyage is the second European Service Module (ESM). It is responsible for life support for the astronauts, as well as power generation and propulsion. Its four solar arrays, each stretching seven meters, give electricity to the spacecraft, while its systems provide air, water, and a comfortable temperature for the astronauts. 

Watch Artemis II flight coverage on:

NASA+: https://plus.nasa.gov/scheduled-events/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nasa

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NASA/

X: https://x.com/nasa

Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/nasa

Check for updates on the Artemis blog: 

https://blogs.nasa.gov/artemis/

NASA Artemis II Mission page:

https://www.nasa.gov/mission/artemis-ii/

Image Credits: NASA/Keegan Barber, European Space Agency-S. Corvaja
Date: April 1, 2026

#NASA #ESA #Space #Science #Earth #Moon #ArtemisProgram #ArtemisII #OrionSpacecraft #SLS #CrewedMissions #Astronauts #ReidWiseman #VictorGlover #ChristinaKoch #JeremyHansen #DeepSpace #MoonToMars #HumanSpaceflight #SolarSystem #SpaceExploration #NASAKennedy #KSC #MerrittIsland #Florida #UnitedStates #STEM #Education

NASA Artemis II Moon Mission Liftoff | Kennedy Space Center

NASA Artemis II Moon Mission Liftoff | Kennedy Space Center

The Artemis II mission launched successfully from NASA's Kennedy Space Center at 6:35pm ET (2235 UTC) on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, propelling four astronauts on a journey around the Moon. Artemis II will pave the way for future Moon landings, as well as the next giant leap—astronauts on Mars.

The Artemis II mission will take NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, commander; Christina Koch, mission specialist; Victor Glover, pilot; and Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, mission specialist on a 10-day journey around the Moon and back aboard their Orion spacecraft. 

Watch Artemis II flight coverage on:

NASA+: https://plus.nasa.gov/scheduled-events/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nasa

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NASA/

X: https://x.com/nasa

Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/nasa

Check for updates on the Artemis blog: 

https://blogs.nasa.gov/artemis/

NASA Artemis II Mission page:

https://www.nasa.gov/mission/artemis-ii/

Video Credit: NASA

Duration: 1 minute    

Date: April 1, 2026

#NASA #Space #Science #Earth #Moon #ArtemisProgram #ArtemisII #OrionSpacecraft #SLS #CrewedMissions #Astronauts #ReidWiseman #VictorGlover #ChristinaKoch #JeremyHansen #DeepSpace #MoonToMars #HumanSpaceflight #SolarSystem #SpaceExploration #NASAKennedy #KSC #MerrittIsland #Florida #UnitedStates #STEM #Education #HD #Video

NASA Artemis II Moon Crew Walkout on Launch Day | Kennedy Space Center

NASA Artemis II Moon Crew Walkout on Launch Day | Kennedy Space Center

From right to left, NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, commander; Christina Koch, mission specialist; Victor Glover, pilot; and Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, mission specialist wave to family and friends

NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, commander; Christina Koch, mission specialist; Victor Glover, pilot; and Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, mission specialist are seen as they depart the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building to board their Orion spacecraft atop NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket at Launch Complex 39B, Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. 

NASA’s Artemis II mission will take Wiseman, Glover, Koch, and Hansen on a 10-day journey around the Moon and back aboard their Orion spacecraft. 

Watch Artemis II coverage on:

NASA+: https://plus.nasa.gov/scheduled-events/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nasa

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NASA/

X: https://x.com/nasa

Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/nasa

Check for updates on the Artemis blog: 

https://blogs.nasa.gov/artemis/

NASA Artemis II Mission page:

https://www.nasa.gov/mission/artemis-ii/

Image Credit: NASA/Aubrey Gemignani

Date: April 1, 2026

#NASA #Space #Science #Earth #Moon #ArtemisProgram #ArtemisII #OrionSpacecraft #SLS #CrewedMissions #Astronauts #ReidWiseman #VictorGlover #ChristinaKoch #JeremyHansen #DeepSpace #MoonToMars #HumanSpaceflight #SolarSystem #SpaceExploration #NASAKennedy #KSC #MerrittIsland #Florida #UnitedStates #STEM #Education

Expedition 74 Crew Best Wishes to Artemis II Crew | International Space Station

Expedition 74 Crew Best Wishes to Artemis II Crew | International Space Station

On Wednesday, April 1, 2026, NASA's Artemis II astronauts boarded the Orion crew spacecraft atop the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket at Launch Complex 39B located at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The astronauts are now strapped into their seats and ready for launch.

The closeout crew is now completing one of the most critical steps before launch: preparing and closing the crew module hatch to the Orion spacecraft. Inside the White Room at Launch Complex 39B, the closeout crew is working meticulously to inspect seals, secure fasteners, and verify that the hatch is airtight.

This process ensures Orion is fully pressurized and ready for flight. Once the hatch is closed and locked, the astronauts are officially sealed inside their spacecraft, marking a major milestone on the path to liftoff.

The Artemis II test flight will take Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialist Christina Koch from NASA, and Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen from the Canadian Space Agency, around the Moon and back to Earth with launch opportunities beginning in April 2026. 

The Artemis II Moon crewed test flight is set for launch no earlier than 6:24 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) Wednesday, April 1, 2026 with a two-hour launch window. Additional opportunities for launch run through Monday, April 6.

Teams at NASA's Kennedy Space Center are continuing final preparations for Artemis II with an 80% chance of favorable weather ahead of a launch as early as April 1.

Watch agency launch, lunar flyby, and splashdown coverage on:

NASA+: https://plus.nasa.gov/scheduled-events/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nasa

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NASA/

X: https://x.com/nasa

Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/nasa

Check the NASA Artemis II Mission page for updates:

https://www.nasa.gov/mission/artemis-ii/

Artemis blog: https://blogs.nasa.gov/artemis/

Follow Expedition 74:
https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/

Expedition 74 Crew
Station Commander: Sergey-Kud Sverchkov (Russia)
Roscosmos (Russia) Flight Engineers: Andrey Fedyaev, Sergei Mikaev

European Space Agency Flight Engineer: Sophie Adenot

NASA Flight Engineers: Jessica Meir, Jack Hathaway, Chris Williams

An international partnership of space agencies provides and operates the elements of the International Space Station (ISS). The principals are the space agencies of the United States, Russia, Europe, Japan, and Canada.

Video Credit: NASA/J. Meir

Duration: 12 seconds
Date: April 1, 2026

#NASA #Space #Science #Earth #ISS #Expedition74 #Moon #ArtemisProgram #ArtemisII #OrionSpacecraft #SLS #CrewedMissions #Astronauts #ReidWiseman #VictorGlover #ChristinaKoch #JeremyHansen #DeepSpace #HumanSpaceflight #SolarSystem #SpaceExploration #NASAKennedy #KSC #MerrittIsland #Florida #UnitedStates #STEM #Education #HD #Video

NASA Artemis II Moon Crew Departure | Kennedy Space Center

NASA Artemis II Moon Crew Departure | Kennedy Space Center

The Artemis II astronauts, now suited up for launch, left for the launch pad at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Wednesday afternoon, April 1, 2026. NASA’s Artemis II flight crew completed the walk that every NASA astronaut has made since Apollo 7 in 1968, heading to the elevator and down through the double doors below the Neil A. Armstrong Building’s Astronaut Crew Quarters.  

NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket with the Orion spacecraft aboard is atop the mobile launcher at Launch Complex 39B. With NASA teams now maintaining the liquid oxygen levels in the interim cryogenic propulsion, all cryogenic stages of the Space Launch System rocket have transitioned to replenish mode during the Artemis II launch countdown. This includes the core stage and SLS upper stage, ensuring both liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen tanks remain at flight-ready levels. 

Replenish mode is essential for maintaining stable propellant quantities and pressure as super-cold fuels naturally boil off over time. Continuous adjustments keep the rocket fully fueled and ready for ignition, supporting the RS-25 engines on the core stage and the RL10 engine on the SLS upper stage for their essential roles in launch and translunar injection. 

The Artemis II test flight will take Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialist Christina Koch from NASA, and Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen from the Canadian Space Agency, around the Moon and back to Earth with launch opportunities beginning in April 2026. 

The Artemis II Moon crewed test flight is set for launch no earlier than 6:24 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) Wednesday, April 1, 2026 with a two-hour launch window. Additional opportunities for launch run through Monday, April 6.

Teams at NASA's Kennedy Space Center are continuing final preparations for Artemis II with an 80% chance of favorable weather ahead of a launch as early as April 1.

Watch agency launch, lunar flyby, and splashdown coverage on:

NASA+: https://plus.nasa.gov/scheduled-events/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nasa

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NASA/

X: https://x.com/nasa

Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/nasa

Check the NASA Artemis II Mission page for updates:

https://www.nasa.gov/mission/artemis-ii/

Artemis blog: https://blogs.nasa.gov/artemis/

Video Credit: NASA

Duration: 1 minute, 14 seconds
Date: April 1, 2026

#NASA #Space #Science #Earth #Moon #ArtemisProgram #ArtemisII #OrionSpacecraft #SLS #CrewedMissions #Astronauts #ReidWiseman #VictorGlover #ChristinaKoch #JeremyHansen #DeepSpace #MoonToMars #HumanSpaceflight #SolarSystem #SpaceExploration #NASAKennedy #KSC #MerrittIsland #Florida #UnitedStates #STEM #Education #HD #Video

NASA Artemis II Moon Crew Suited-up for Launch | Kennedy Space Center

 NASA Artemis II Moon Crew Suited-up for Launch | Kennedy Space Center

The Artemis II astronauts, now suited up for launch, left for the launch pad at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Wednesday afternoon, April 1, 2026. NASA’s Artemis II flight crew completed the walk that every NASA astronaut has made since Apollo 7 in 1968, heading to the elevator and down through the double doors below the Neil A. Armstrong Building’s Astronaut Crew Quarters.  

NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket with the Orion spacecraft aboard is atop the mobile launcher at Launch Complex 39B. With NASA teams now maintaining the liquid oxygen levels in the interim cryogenic propulsion, all cryogenic stages of the Space Launch System rocket have transitioned to replenish mode during the Artemis II launch countdown. This includes the core stage and SLS upper stage, ensuring both liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen tanks remain at flight-ready levels. 

Replenish mode is essential for maintaining stable propellant quantities and pressure as super-cold fuels naturally boil off over time. Continuous adjustments keep the rocket fully fueled and ready for ignition, supporting the RS-25 engines on the core stage and the RL10 engine on the SLS upper stage for their essential roles in launch and translunar injection. 

The Artemis II test flight will take Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialist Christina Koch from NASA, and Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen from the Canadian Space Agency, around the Moon and back to Earth with launch opportunities beginning in April 2026. 

The Artemis II Moon crewed test flight is set for launch no earlier than 6:24 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) Wednesday, April 1, 2026 with a two-hour launch window. Additional opportunities for launch run through Monday, April 6.

Teams at NASA's Kennedy Space Center are continuing final preparations for Artemis II with an 80% chance of favorable weather ahead of a launch as early as April 1.

Watch agency launch, lunar flyby, and splashdown coverage on:

NASA+: https://plus.nasa.gov/scheduled-events/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nasa

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NASA/

X: https://x.com/nasa

Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/nasa

Check the NASA Artemis II Mission page for updates:

https://www.nasa.gov/mission/artemis-ii/

Artemis blog: https://blogs.nasa.gov/artemis/

Video Credit: NASA

Duration: 41 seconds
Date: April 1, 2026

#NASA #Space #Science #Earth #Moon #ArtemisProgram #ArtemisII #OrionSpacecraft #SLS #CrewedMissions #Astronauts #ReidWiseman #VictorGlover #ChristinaKoch #JeremyHansen #DeepSpace #MoonToMars #HumanSpaceflight #SolarSystem #SpaceExploration #NASAKennedy #KSC #MerrittIsland #Florida #UnitedStates #STEM #Education #HD #Video

China Lijian-2 Commercial Rocket Satellite Launch: 360 Drone Camera View

China Lijian-2 Commercial Rocket Satellite Launch: 360 Drone Camera View

Modular and universal design enables efficient production and launch for Lijian-2 (Kinetica-2) carrier rockets, explained one of its designers as a Lijian-2 Y1 carrier rocket with three satellites onboard blasted off at 19:00 (Beijing Time) from a commercial aerospace innovation pilot zone in northwest China and sent the satellites into the planned orbit on March 30, 2026.

With a low Earth orbit payload capacity of 12 tonnes, the rocket is fully equipped to meet the demands of space station cargo missions. However, for commercial spaceflight, high payload capacity alone is not enough. The Lijian-2 is able to deliver impressive performance thanks to its design innovations.

Developed by Chinese commercial space firm CAS Space, Lijian-2 is China's first to adopt a Common Booster Core (CBC) configuration. The Lijian-2 is a medium-lift, liquid-fuel rocket and the second launch vehicle developed by CAS Space, following the Lijian-1. It is the company's first liquid-propellant rocket, and is tasked with supporting China's large-scale satellite deployment and low-cost cargo transportation for the China Space Station.

A closer look at the Lijian-2 reveals that its core stage and two boosters appear nearly identical. This is no coincidence but a deliberate "universal" design known as the "universal booster core" configuration. This approach allows major components of the rocket to be mass-produced, significantly streamlining the manufacturing process.

"From the very beginning of its design, the Lijian-2 followed a philosophy of large quantity and mass production. That is why the appearance of the rocket’s units is highly similar. The critical feature of this rocket is that the core stage and the boosters are designed to be identical in configuration," said Lian Jie, deputy chief designer of Lijian-2 carrier rocket of CAS Space, a commercial spaceflight company established by the Institute of Mechanics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).

According to Lian, the greatest advantages of this design lie in its flexibility and efficiency. If a component encounters an issue, it can be quickly replaced like a standard part—a key feature that supports the development of high-frequency launch capability.

"If a problem occurs during the launch, we can quickly take a booster produced in the same batch to replace the faulty one, so as to ensure a smooth launch as scheduled," he said.

Video Credit: 云上天镜 via DJI Avata 360 drone
Duration: 22 seconds
Release Date: March 31, 2026

#NASA #Space #Satellites #Earth #China #中国 #CASSpace #中科宇航 #CAS #中国科学院 #Lijian2Rockets #Kinetica2Rockets #LaunchVehicles #CargoSpacecraft #CommercialSpace #CommercialSpaceflight #JSLC #JiuquanSatelliteLaunchCenter #酒泉卫星发射中心 #InnerMongolia #SpaceTechnology #Engineering #STEM #Education #DJIAvata360 #UAVVideography #HD #Video

NASA Artemis II Moon Rocket Preflight: Filling the Tanks | Kennedy Space Center

NASA Artemis II Moon Rocket Preflight: Filling the Tanks | Kennedy Space Center

NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket with the Orion spacecraft aboard is seen atop the mobile launcher at Launch Complex 39B, Wednesday, April 1, 2026, as the Artemis II launch teams load more than 700,000 gallons of cryogenic propellants including liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen as the launch countdown progresses at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Update: 12:23 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) - Liquid oxygen fast fill is now complete for the Space Launch System upper stage, marking another major milestone in tanking operations. Teams have confirmed the upper stage is in good shape and are proceeding with the vent and relief test.

The Artemis II test flight will take Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialist Christina Koch from NASA, and Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen from the Canadian Space Agency, around the Moon and back to Earth with launch opportunities beginning in April 2026. 

The Artemis II Moon crewed test flight is set for launch no earlier than 6:24 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) Wednesday, April 1, 2026 with a two-hour launch window. Additional opportunities for launch run through Monday, April 6.

Teams at NASA's Kennedy Space Center are continuing final preparations for Artemis II with an 80% chance of favorable weather ahead of a launch as early as April 1.

NASA will provide live coverage of prelaunch, launch, splashdown, and other activities for the upcoming Artemis II crewed flight test around the Moon. NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Jeremy Hansen will test the Orion spacecraft’s life support systems for the first time with humans aboard, helping lay the groundwork for future crewed Artemis missions.

Watch agency launch, lunar flyby, and splashdown coverage on:

NASA+: https://plus.nasa.gov/scheduled-events/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nasa

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NASA/

X: https://x.com/nasa

Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/nasa

Check the NASA Artemis II Mission page for updates:

https://www.nasa.gov/mission/artemis-ii/

Artemis blog: https://blogs.nasa.gov/artemis/

Image Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls
Date: April 1, 2026

#NASA #Space #Science #Earth #Moon #ArtemisProgram #ArtemisII #OrionSpacecraft #SLS #CrewedMissions #Astronauts #ReidWiseman #VictorGlover #ChristinaKoch #JeremyHansen #DeepSpace #MoonToMars #HumanSpaceflight #SolarSystem #SpaceExploration #NASAKennedy #KSC #MerrittIsland #Florida #UnitedStates #STEM #Education

NASA Artemis II Moon Rocket Preflight at Sunrise | Kennedy Space Center

NASA Artemis II Moon Rocket Preflight at Sunrise | Kennedy Space Center

NASA’s Artemis II Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft are seen during sunrise at Launch Complex 39B, Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. 

Update: The fueling process for the Artemis II rocket has picked up speed. The rocket is now more quickly filling with liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen. When the core stage is completely full, it will contain 196,000 gallons of liquid oxygen and 537,000 gallons of liquid hydrogen.

The Artemis II test flight will take Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialist Christina Koch from NASA, and Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen from the Canadian Space Agency, around the Moon and back to Earth with launch opportunities beginning in April 2026. 

The Artemis II Moon crewed test flight is set for launch no earlier than 6:24 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) Wednesday, April 1, 2026 with a two-hour launch window. Additional opportunities for launch run through Monday, April 6.

Teams at NASA's Kennedy Space Center are continuing final preparations for Artemis II with an 80% chance of favorable weather ahead of a launch as early as April 1.

NASA will provide live coverage of prelaunch, launch, splashdown, and other activities for the upcoming Artemis II crewed flight test around the Moon. NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Jeremy Hansen will test the Orion spacecraft’s life support systems for the first time with humans aboard, helping lay the groundwork for future crewed Artemis missions.

Watch agency launch, lunar flyby, and splashdown coverage on:

NASA+: https://plus.nasa.gov/scheduled-events/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nasa

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NASA/

X: https://x.com/nasa

Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/nasa

Check the NASA Artemis II Mission page for updates:

https://www.nasa.gov/mission/artemis-ii/

Artemis blog: https://blogs.nasa.gov/artemis/

Wednesday, April 1 Schedule

7:45 a.m.: Coverage of tanking operations to load propellant into the SLS rocket begins, including views of the rocket and audio from a commentator.

12:50 p.m.: NASA+ coverage of launch begins. Coverage continues on YouTube after Orion’s solar array wings deploy in space.

Approximately two-and-a-half hours after launch, NASA will hold a post-launch news conference after the SLS rocket’s upper stage performs a burn to send Orion and its crew to high Earth orbit. The start time is subject to change, based on the exact liftoff time.

Image Credits: United Launch Alliance, NASA
Date: April 1, 2026

#NASA #Space #Science #Earth #Moon #ArtemisProgram #ArtemisII #OrionSpacecraft #SLS #CrewedMissions #Astronauts #ReidWiseman #VictorGlover #ChristinaKoch #JeremyHansen #DeepSpace #MoonToMars #HumanSpaceflight #SolarSystem #SpaceExploration #NASAKennedy #KSC #MerrittIsland #Florida #UnitedStates #STEM #Education

NASA Artemis II Moon Rocket Preflight at Sunset | Kennedy Space Center

NASA Artemis II Moon Rocket Preflight at Sunset | Kennedy Space Center

NASA’s Artemis II Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft are seen at sunset at Launch Complex 39B, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Artemis II test flight will take Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialist Christina Koch from NASA, and Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen from the Canadian Space Agency, around the Moon and back to Earth with launch opportunities beginning in April 2026. 

The Artemis II Moon crewed test flight is set for launch no earlier than 6:24 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) Wednesday, April 1, 2026 with a two-hour launch window. Additional opportunities for launch run through Monday, April 6.

Teams at NASA's Kennedy Space Center are continuing final preparations for Artemis II with an 80% chance of favorable weather ahead of a launch as early as April 1.

NASA will provide live coverage of prelaunch, launch, splashdown, and other activities for the upcoming Artemis II crewed flight test around the Moon. NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Jeremy Hansen will test the Orion spacecraft’s life support systems for the first time with humans aboard, helping lay the groundwork for future crewed Artemis missions.

Watch agency launch, lunar flyby, and splashdown coverage on:

NASA+: https://plus.nasa.gov/scheduled-events/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nasa

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NASA/

X: https://x.com/nasa

Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/nasa

Check the NASA Artemis II Mission page for updates:

https://www.nasa.gov/mission/artemis-ii/

Artemis blog: https://blogs.nasa.gov/artemis/

Wednesday, April 1 Schedule

7:45 a.m.: Coverage of tanking operations to load propellant into the SLS rocket begins, including views of the rocket and audio from a commentator.

12:50 p.m.: NASA+ coverage of launch begins. Coverage continues on YouTube after Orion’s solar array wings deploy in space.

Approximately two-and-a-half hours after launch, NASA will hold a post-launch news conference after the SLS rocket’s upper stage performs a burn to send Orion and its crew to high Earth orbit. The start time is subject to change, based on the exact liftoff time.

Image Credit: NASA/Aubrey Gemignani/Joel Kowsky
Release Date: March 31, 2026

#NASA #Space #Science #Earth #Moon #ArtemisProgram #ArtemisII #OrionSpacecraft #SLS #CrewedMissions #Astronauts #ReidWiseman #VictorGlover #ChristinaKoch #JeremyHansen #DeepSpace #MoonToMars #HumanSpaceflight #SolarSystem #SpaceExploration #NASAKennedy #KSC #MerrittIsland #Florida #UnitedStates #STEM #Education

Free NASA Artemis II Orion Crew Moon Spacecraft Wallpapers | Lockheed Martin

Free NASA Artemis II Orion Crew Moon Spacecraft Wallpapers | Lockheed Martin

NASA’s Orion spacecraft is designed to carry astronauts to the Moon. Launching atop NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, Orion will sustain the crews on Artemis missions to the Moon and return them safely to Earth. Lockheed Martin is the prime contractor building Orion spacecraft. 

Celebrate Artemis II with Orion wallpapers! 

Ready your phone, tablet, laptop or PC before liftoff.

Free download of full set (6MB ZIP file) here: 

https://lockheedmartin.com/content/dam/lockheed-martin/space/documents/orion/Artemis%20II%20Phone%20Wallpapers.zip

Learn more about NASA's Orion Spacecraft:

https://www.nasa.gov/humans-in-space/orion-spacecraft/
https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/products/orion.html

The Artemis II Moon crewed test flight is set for launch no earlier than 6:24 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) Wednesday, April 1, 2026 with a two-hour launch window. Additional opportunities for launch run through Monday, April 6.

Teams at NASA's Kennedy Space Center are continuing final preparations for Artemis II with an 80% chance of favorable weather ahead of a launch as early as April 1.

NASA will provide live coverage of prelaunch, launch, splashdown, and other activities for the upcoming Artemis II crewed flight test around the Moon. NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Jeremy Hansen will test the Orion spacecraft’s life support systems for the first time with humans aboard, helping lay the groundwork for future crewed Artemis missions.

Watch agency launch, lunar flyby, and splashdown coverage on:

NASA+: https://plus.nasa.gov/scheduled-events/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nasa

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NASA/

X: https://x.com/nasa

Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/nasa

Check the NASA Artemis II Mission page for updates:

https://www.nasa.gov/mission/artemis-ii/

Artemis blog: https://blogs.nasa.gov/artemis/

Credit: Lockheed Martin Space
Release Date: March 31, 2026

#NASA #Space #Science #Earth #Moon #ArtemisProgram #ArtemisII #OrionSpacecraft #SLS #CrewedMissions #Astronauts #ReidWiseman #VictorGlover #ChristinaKoch #JeremyHansen #DeepSpace #MoonToMars #HumanSpaceflight #SolarSystem #SpaceExploration #NASAKennedy #KSC #MerrittIsland #Florida #UnitedStates #Infographics #STEM #Education