Final Steps to Artemis II Launch

The Artemis II mission is set to launch this year, marking the first manned return to the moon since the end of the Apollo program.  As we get closer to the first possible launch window, there is still a lot to do to get ready!1

The SLS system and Orion spacecraft are currently at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.  Soon, (no earlier than Saturday, January 17th) the agency will send both parts of the rocket from the Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Pad 39B.  Though the two sites are only four miles apart, the journey takes up to twelve hours to complete!

Once the integrated rocket and spacecraft reach the launch pad, there is a long list of preparations that need to happen.  These include connecting ground support equipment, powering up integrated systems, and a final walkdown at the pad by the crew.

At the end of January, NASA will perform what is called a "wet dress rehearsal".  This is a prelaunch test to fuel the rocket.  Teams load more than 700,000 gallons of cryogenic propellants into the rocket, perform a countdown, and practice safely removing propellant from the rocket.  The astronauts are not onsite for this rehearsal.  There will be multiple runs of this rehearsal.  NASA engineers will use lessons they learned from the unmanned Artemis I launch to ensure that the vehicle is as safe as possible for the astronauts.  If needed, the SLS system and Orion will be rolled back to the Vehicle Assembly Building to make any necessary adjustments.

Following a successful wet dress rehearsal, there is a flight readiness review, where all systems are checked.  If everything is working properly, a launch date will be set.  The earliest possible launch date is February 6th.  If the spacecraft is not ready, there are also possible launch windows in March and April.  Check out this article for more info.  We'll keep you up to date with Artemis's activity here as well!