Artemis II: NASA Schedules Historic Manned Lunar Flyby for March 2026

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has officially designated March 6, 2026, as the primary target date for the launch of the Artemis II mission. This milestone marks the first time in over half a century that a crewed spacecraft will venture toward the Moon. The scheduling follows the triumphant completion of the second Wet Dress Rehearsal (WDR) at the Kennedy Space Center, which took place on Thursday, February 19, 2026.

This essential pre-flight evaluation involved a comprehensive simulation of the launch countdown, excluding the actual ignition, and represents a pivotal advancement in returning humans to deep space. During this second WDR, engineering teams successfully addressed a significant technical hurdle encountered during a previous attempt in early February 2026. That earlier trial was halted due to a detected liquid hydrogen leak. By replacing two critical seals and various filters within the ground support equipment, technicians were able to successfully load the Space Launch System (SLS) heavy-lift rocket with more than 700,000 gallons of cryogenic propellant.

The rehearsal's countdown progressed smoothly to the T-29 second mark, with hydrogen concentration levels remaining well within safety parameters, validating the effectiveness of the recent repairs. Lori Glaze, serving as NASA's Acting Deputy Associate Administrator, indicated that the agency is firmly focused on the March launch window following a comprehensive review of the test data scheduled for release next week. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman emphasized that this progress signifies a monumental leap in America's efforts to re-establish a presence in lunar orbit.

As the second phase of the broader Artemis initiative, the Artemis II mission is designed to rigorously test the Orion spacecraft's life-support systems in the harsh environment of deep space during a 10-day lunar flyby. This mission serves as a vital proving ground for both the SLS rocket and the Orion capsule before the subsequent Artemis III mission, which aims to land astronauts on the lunar surface. The international crew consists of NASA Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialist Christina Koch, alongside Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen from the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), highlighting the spirit of global cooperation.

Establishing the March 6, 2026, launch date provides a definitive timeline for the crew and ground operations teams, though NASA has identified April 2026 as a potential backup window should any delays occur. The four-person crew is scheduled to begin a mandatory two-week quarantine period on February 20, 2026, as they prepare to travel further from Earth than any human in history. Since its inception in 2017, the Artemis program has been dedicated to building the foundational infrastructure necessary for future human exploration of Mars.