Artemis II launches from Kennedy Space Center

Artemis II launched from the Kennedy Space Center, where the rocket will carry the Orion spacecraft for a second time, on its journey around the moon – an update to the original plan, which put astronauts on the surface. CLICK HERE TO SEE ARTEMIS II’S REAL TIME ORBITSee video of the launch in the player above. Artemis II countdown On Wednesday, Artemis II launched at 6:35 p.m. ET. Tanking operations to load fuel into the Space Launch System rocket began at 7:45 a.m., nearly 12 hours before the launch occurred. Previous steps:6:22 p.m.: Go For Launch givenAt 6:15 p.m.: Countdown clock paused at -10 minutesThe launch window opens at 6:24 p.m., but is now delayedAt 5:57 p.m.: Closeout crew completed final tasks and departed the launch complexAt 5:32 p.m., officials are looking at a temperature issue with one of the LAS batteries, it could be a sensor issueAt 5 p.m., the final hatch was being closed, flight termination system issues resolveAt 4:45 p.m., officials were working to fix issue with flight termination systemAt 2:31 p.m., crew members began boarding the Orion spacecraftAt about 1:44 p.m., the crew left for the padAt 12:44 p.m., crew began dressing in launch and entry spacesuitsAt 12:40 p.m., astronauts received a final weather briefing.Tanking operations to load fuel into the SLS rocket began around 7:45 a.m. The crewFour astronauts are aboard NASA’s Space Launch System.Commander: Reid WisemanPilot: Victor GloverMission Specialist: Christina KochMission Specialist: Jeremy Hansen The path Artemis Program OverviewArtemis is NASA’s long-term Moon exploration campaign.The program’s main goals include returning humans to the moon, building a sustained lunar presence, maturing technology and operations needed for human missions to Mars, and doing this all with international and commercial partners.The missions are each designated to different milestones, strategies and individual goals.Artemis IThis mission is complete.It was an uncrewed integrated flight test of the Space Launch System, which is a heavy-lift rocket that launches crews and large cargo toward the moon, and Orion, which is a crew spacecraft that carries astronauts to lunar orbit and returns them to Earth.SLS and Orion went around the moon and came back to Earth.The purpose of this mission was to validate deep-space performance and reentry before flying with a crew.>> Relive the launch of Artemis I here.Artemis IIThis mission is planned.Artemis II will be the first crewed mission to the moon, with the plan to fly around itThe purpose of the crewed flight is to prove life support, operations and high-speed returns with astronauts.Artemis III (This mission has changes as of Feb. 27)This mission is planned.Artemis III will be the first crewed lunar landing of the program, targeting the lunar South Pole region.The 10-day mission will include field geology, sample collection/return and deployed experiments.Four astronauts will launch in Orion, two will land on the moon for surface work, and then they will return to Orion for the journey back to Earth.Artemis IV and beyondThe future missions will aim to expand on capabilities toward sustained operations on the moon, such as more surface time, more cargo and infrastructure delivery, increased use of Gateway as a staging node, and progression toward an “Artemis Base Camp” style sustainable presence.Why the lunar South Pole?It has scientifically valuable terrain and ancient geology.It contains regions with water ice and other volatiles in permanently shadowed areas, which is key for science and potential resources.Its challenging conditions will help prove the systems needed for Mars-class missions.More information