NASA Artemis II mission took a major step forward after the agency’s Space Launch System rocket was positioned at Launch Pad 39B at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, marking the start of final preparations for the first crewed journey to the Moon since 1972.
The 98-metre-tall rocket, designed to carry four astronauts around the Moon, was transported from the Vehicle Assembly Building in a carefully coordinated operation that lasted nearly 12 hours. NASA confirmed that the move places the mission firmly on track for its next critical testing phase ahead of a targeted launch window beginning in early February.
Artemis II is central to NASA’s broader plan to return humans to deep space and establish a long-term presence beyond Earth orbit. Unlike previous uncrewed tests, the upcoming mission will carry astronauts aboard the Orion spacecraft for a 10-day flight that will take them thousands of kilometres beyond the Moon’s far side before returning to Earth.
Rocket Transfer and Launch Pad Operations
The rocket began its slow journey shortly after dawn, travelling at less than one mile per hour atop a crawler-transporter — a specialised vehicle built to move NASA’s heaviest launch systems. Live footage from the space centre captured the SLS inching toward Pad 39B, drawing attention from space enthusiasts worldwide.
NASA officials said the rocket will now undergo a “wet dress rehearsal,” a full simulation of launch-day procedures that includes fueling operations and countdown testing. These checks are considered essential before final clearance for flight.
Artemis II Crew Watches Milestone Moment
The Artemis II crew — Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen — were present at the space centre as the rocket arrived at the pad. For the astronauts, the moment marked a visible shift from years of training to the final phase before launch.
Speaking ahead of the mission, crew members have described Artemis II as both a technological challenge and a symbolic return of human exploration beyond low-Earth orbit.
Mission Objectives and What Comes Next
Unlike Apollo missions, Artemis II will not land on the lunar surface. Instead, the spacecraft will fly around the Moon to test systems, navigation, and life-support capabilities required for future landings. NASA said the mission will also allow astronauts to conduct lunar observations and capture high-resolution imagery of the Moon’s surface.
The flight is expected to travel farther from Earth than any previous crewed mission, laying the groundwork for Artemis III, which aims to return astronauts to the Moon later this decade.
Safety and Timelines
NASA acknowledged that the Artemis programme has faced delays in recent years but stressed that safety remains the agency’s top priority. Officials said additional launch windows are available in the coming months should conditions or technical checks require adjustments.
With the rocket now secured at the launch pad, teams at the Kennedy Space Center will continue around-the-clock testing as NASA moves closer to sending astronauts back into deep space, a milestone not seen since the Apollo era.