NASA sets February 2026 for historic Artemis II mission launch

NASA is preparing for a historic space mission that will fly astronauts around the moon for the first time in over 50 years. The Artemis II mission is currently slated for launch as early as February 2026, following previous delays pushing it back to April. This information emerged during a press conference held at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, where NASA officials announced the potential launch window starting February 5. The mission aims to enhance America's exploration efforts, making it a notable step in the Artemis program that intends to establish a long-term human presence on the moon. The Artemis II crew will consist of four astronauts, including three Americans - Victor Glover, Christina Hammock Koch, and Reid Wiseman - along with Canadian Jeremy Hansen. Notably, Glover will be the first person of color to set foot on the lunar surface, while Koch will be the first woman. This mission follows the successful Artemis I launch in November 2022, which served as a flight test and concluded in December. It marked a significant advancement in NASA's plans for future lunar expeditions, despite facing some technical challenges. During the Artemis I mission, teams discovered battery issues and difficulties with a component involved in air ventilation and temperature control. Additionally, NASA began investigating the loss of char layer pieces from the spacecraft's heat shield. These lessons will be critical as the agency prepares for Artemis II. The mission is designed as a 10-day test flight, focusing on demonstrating new systems and capabilities, including life support and software operations, essential for ensuring crew safety and mission success. As NASA moves forward, the knowledge gained from Artemis II will also be instrumental in preparing for Artemis III, an ambitious mission that aims to achieve a crewed landing on the lunar surface. The Team is currently finalizing preparations for the Orion capsule at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, where it will soon proceed to the vehicle assembly building. The Space Launch System (SLS), the rocket system designed to launch the crew into space, is reported to be nearly ready for the mission, suggesting confidence in the upcoming timelines and testing protocols. Overall, the Artemis program is a pivotal part of NASA's long-term strategy to deepen space exploration and potentially enable future crewed missions to Mars.