NASA targets April 1, 2026 launch date for Artemis II crewed moon mission

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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 stated Thursday they accomplished the Flight Readiness Overview (FRR) and are set to roll the rocket again to the pad on March 19, adopted by remaining 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, stated at a information convention at Kennedy House Heart in Florida.

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NASA's Artemis II sits within the Automobile Meeting Constructing at NASA’s Kennedy House Heart on Jan. 16, 2026 in Cape Canaveral, Fla. (Joe Raedle/Getty Pictures)

"It is a check flight and it's not 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 check run. A helium leak was later recognized on the finish of the month. The House Launch System (SLS) rocket was transferred from the launchpad again to the Automobile Meeting Constructing (VAB) for repairs which can be almost full.

John Honeycutt, chair of the Artemis II Mission Administration Crew, stated 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 House Company astronaut Jeremy Hansen. (NASA)

Honeycutt later stated he doesn't need the mission’s success considered as a 50-50 proposition.

"Should you take a look at the information over time, over the lifespan of constructing new rockets, proper, the information would present you that one out of two is profitable. You’re solely profitable 50% of the time," Honeycutt stated. "I believe we’re in a a lot better place than that."

"I don’t need individuals to take that as being that we needs to be scared to go fly, as a result of we’re not scared to go fly," he added. "We do an excellent job of understanding the danger, shopping for down the danger, mitigating the danger and placing collectively controls to handle the danger."

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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 House Heart. (Gregg Newton / AFP through Getty Pictures)

NASA additionally stated it is not going to conduct one other "moist gown rehearsal," a prelaunch fueling check for Artemis II.

"After we tank the automobile the very subsequent time, I would really like it to be on a day that we may really launch. I wish to do it on launch day," Glaze stated. "And if we're in a position to efficiently totally tank the automobile, I need to have the ability to go to launch."

She added that NASA doesn't wish to burn up any days in its April launch window for a moist gown rehearsal.

NASA LIKELY TO DELAY ARTEMIS II MOON MISSION LAUNCH AGAIN DUE TO HELIUM FLOW PROBLEM

<source media="(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)" srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2026/02/672/378/artemis-sign-in-front-of-rocket-at-kennedy-space-center.jpg?ve=1&tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2026/02/1344/756/artemis-sign-in-front-of-rocket-at-kennedy-space-center.jpg?ve=1&tl=1 2x" height="378" width="672"><source media="(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)" srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2026/02/931/523/artemis-sign-in-front-of-rocket-at-kennedy-space-center.jpg?ve=1&tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2026/02/1862/1046/artemis-sign-in-front-of-rocket-at-kennedy-space-center.jpg?ve=1&tl=1 2x" height="523" width="931"> NASA's Artemis II House Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft are seen at Launch Pad 39B at Kennedy House Heart in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on February 20, 2026. (Gregg Newton / AFP through Getty Pictures)

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 dwelling in what could be the farthest human spaceflight ever.

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NASA has stated 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 .