'Something really big is going to happen': NASA's historic Artemis II mission approved for April 1 launch Kenna Hughes-Castleberry is the Content Manager at Live Science. Formerly, she was the Content Manager at Space.com and before that the Science Communicator at JILA, a physics research institute. Kenna is also a book author, with her upcoming book 'Octopus X' scheduled for release in spring of 2027. It's quick and easy to access Live Science Plus, simply enter your email below. We'll send you a confirmation and sign you up for our daily newsletter, keeping you up to date with the latest science news. Chinese lander reveals giant 'cavity' of radiation between Earth and the moon — and it could change how lunar exploration is doneNASA announces moon base, Iran war releases staggering carbon, why weed gives people munchies, and Artemis II preps for liftoff.Supercomputers simulated the orbits of 1 million satellites between Earth and the moon — and less than 10% survived A live view of the Artemis II rocket sitting on the launchpad at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida.Unlock instant access to exclusive member features.Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsSign up for the latest discoveries, groundbreaking research and fascinating breakthroughs that impact you and the wider world direct to your inbox.Feed your curiosity with an exclusive mystery every week, solved with science and delivered direct to your inbox before it's seen anywhere else.Sign up to our free science & technology newsletter for your weekly fix of fascinating articles, quick quizzes, amazing images, and moreSign up to our monthly entertainment newsletter to keep up with all our coverage of the latest sci-fi and space movies, tv shows, games and books.Discover this week's must-see night sky events, moon phases, and stunning astrophotos. Sign up for our skywatching newsletter and explore the universe with us!and other checks, teams gave the first crewed Artemis flight the green light to launch as soon as Wednesday .'We are getting very, very close': NASA makes final Artemis II preparations as expectation grows for Wednesday launch Artemis II update: NASA targets March 6 for launch of historic moon mission following successful 'wet dress rehearsal'Artemis II is NASA's first chance to test the life-support equipment aboard the Orion crew capsule with astronauts on board, as well as its first crewed mission beyond low Earth orbit in over 50 years. If all goes well, the roughly 10-day flight will help prove the agency's moon-to-Mars hardware is ready for even riskier missions ahead, including crewed lunar landings and aThe mission did not reach this point in a straight line. Artemis II has worked through technical snags, including earlier trouble with liquidout to Launch Pad 39B at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. NASA said those issues were addressed as teams pushed through final integration, countdown rehearsals and launch prep.Get the world’s most fascinating discoveries delivered straight to your inbox.Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors Now, the focus is narrowing to launch day. NASA's latest update says cloud cover and possible strong ground winds are the main weather concerns for, but the overall picture looks favorable. Teams at Kennedy Space Center began countdown activities Monday at 4:44 p.m. EDT, with the agency targeting a launch time no earlier than Farthest, fastest and most diverse: 6 major records the Artemis II astronauts will smash as NASA returns to the moon Mystery medical episode that left astronaut unable to speak shows one of NASA's biggest risks as moon missions ramp upArtemis II will carry NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch, along with Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen, on a free-return path aroundKenna Hughes-Castleberry is the Content Manager at Live Science. Formerly, she was the Content Manager at Space.com and before that the Science Communicator at JILA, a physics research institute. Kenna is also a book author, with her upcoming book 'Octopus X' scheduled for release in spring of 2027. Her beats include physics, health, environmental science, technology, AI, animal intelligence, corvids, and cephalopods.Space ExplorationNASA is preparing for simulated launch of Artemis II mega moon rocket — and it could happen as early as SaturdayMystery medical episode that left astronaut unable to speak shows one of NASA's biggest risks as moon missions ramp upFarthest, fastest and most diverse: 6 major records the Artemis II astronauts will smash as NASA returns to the moonChinese lander reveals giant 'cavity' of radiation between Earth and the moon — and it could change how lunar exploration is doneMystery medical episode that left astronaut unable to speak shows one of NASA's biggest risks as moon missions ramp upFarthest, fastest and most diverse: 6 major records the Artemis II astronauts will smash as NASA returns to the moonFarthest, fastest and most diverse: 6 major records the Artemis II astronauts will smash as NASA returns to the moon Tudor Heart: A Renaissance gold necklace featuring a French-English pun on the love between Henry VIII and his first wife, Katherine of Aragon