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NASA is focusing on an April 1 launch for its Artemis II mission across the moon, marking the primary crewed lunar flight since Apollo in 1972.
Officers mentioned Thursday they accomplished the Flight Readiness Evaluation (FRR) and are set to roll the rocket again to the pad on March 19, adopted by last configuration for launch.
A possible launch for the 10-day mission is scheduled for six:24 p.m. ET on April 1, with a backup date of April 2 at 7:22 p.m.
“On the conclusion of the FRR, all of the groups polled go to launch and fly Artemis II across the moon, pending completion of a few of the work earlier than we roll out to the launch pad,” Lori Glaze, appearing affiliate administrator for the Exploration Programs Growth Mission Directorate, mentioned at a information convention at Kennedy Area Middle in Florida.
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NASA’s Artemis II sits within the Automobile Meeting Constructing at NASA’s Kennedy Area Middle on Jan. 16, 2026 in Cape Canaveral, Fla. (Joe Raedle/Getty Photos)
“It is a take a look at flight and it isn’t with out threat, however our staff and our {hardware} are prepared,” Glaze added.
Artemis II had been scheduled to launch in early February, however the mission was delayed after fuel leaks were discovered throughout a take a look at run. A helium leak was later recognized on the finish of the month. The Area Launch System (SLS) rocket was transferred from the launchpad again to the Automobile Meeting Constructing (VAB) for repairs which might be almost full.
John Honeycutt, chair of the Artemis II Mission Administration Crew, mentioned the mission’s success odds vary from one in two to 1 in 50 when requested concerning the dangers of Artemis II.
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The crew of NASA’s Artemis II mission (left to proper): NASA astronauts Christina Hammock Koch, Reid Wiseman (seated), Victor Glover, and Canadian Area Company astronaut Jeremy Hansen. (NASA)
Honeycutt later mentioned he doesn’t need the mission’s success seen as a 50-50 proposition.
“When you have a look at the info over time, over the lifespan of constructing new rockets, proper, the info would present you that one out of two is profitable. You’re solely profitable 50% of the time,” Honeycutt mentioned. “I feel we’re in a significantly better place than that.”
“I don’t need individuals to take that as being that we ought to be scared to go fly, as a result of we’re not scared to go fly,” he added. “We do an impressive job of understanding the chance, shopping for down the chance, mitigating the chance and placing collectively controls to handle the chance.”
Lori Glaze, appearing affiliate administrator for NASA’s Exploration Programs Growth Mission Directorate, and Artemis II Mission Administration Crew Chair John Honeycutt addressed reporters throughout a press convention at Kennedy Area Middle. (Gregg Newton / AFP through Getty Photos)
NASA additionally mentioned it is not going to conduct one other “moist costume rehearsal,” a prelaunch fueling take a look at for Artemis II.
“After we tank the automobile the very subsequent time, I would really like it to be on a day that we might really launch. I want to do it on launch day,” Glaze mentioned. “And if we’re in a position to efficiently absolutely tank the automobile, I need to have the ability to go to launch.”
She added that NASA doesn’t need to deplete any days in its April launch window for a moist costume rehearsal.
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NASA’s Artemis II Area Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft are seen at Launch Pad 39B at Kennedy Area Middle in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on February 20, 2026. (Gregg Newton / AFP through Getty Photos)
The Artemis program was first established by President Donald Trump throughout his first time period in December 2017.
The 4 astronauts concerned in Artemis II — People Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch and Canadian Jeremy Hansen — are anticipated to orbit the moon earlier than returning residence in what could be the farthest human spaceflight ever.
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NASA has mentioned Artemis III, Artemis IV and Artemis V are anticipated to launch earlier than the top of Trump’s present time period, with Artemis IV and V aiming to return astronauts to the moon’s surface.
Fox Information Digital’s Preston Mizell and Brie Stimson contributed to this report.
