Launch preparations are well underway for the Artemis II mission, NASA’s planned lunar fly-around with a crew of four astronauts. This mission will mark the first time humans have traveled to the moon in 53 years.

Fueling the Rocket for Launch

On Tuesday, March 31, 2026, photographers positioned remote cameras near NASA’s Artemis II moon rocket on Launch Pad 39-B at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, just before sunrise. Hours later, on April 1, 2026, the rocket was prepared for a planned launch attempt.

Tensions were high as hydrogen fuel began flowing into the rocket. Previous countdown tests experienced dangerous hydrogen leaks, resulting in a significant flight delay. Launch teams are loading over 700,000 gallons of fuel into the 32-story Space Launch System rocket.

Mission Details and Crew

The Space Launch System rocket is scheduled to launch Wednesday evening, with a two-hour launch window opening at 6:24 p.m. EDT. The crew consists of Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen.

The Artemis II mission will not involve a landing. Instead, the astronauts will travel several thousand miles beyond the moon, perform a U-turn, and return to Earth in a journey lasting less than 10 days.

A Stepping Stone to a Lunar Base

Artemis II represents the first step in NASA’s ambitious plan to establish a permanent moon base. The agency is currently targeting a moon landing near the lunar south pole in 2028.

The Countdown and Trajectory

The final ten minutes of the countdown are particularly critical, with automated software initiating a series of precisely timed milestones. The clock can be paused if issues arise, but must be resolved before resuming.

Precise alignment between the Earth and moon is crucial for achieving the correct trajectory. Launch opportunities are limited to approximately one week per month. The Orion capsule will undergo systems checks in near-Earth orbit before firing its engine to propel it toward the moon, utilizing a gravity-assisted slingshot maneuver.

Crew Preparations and a Special Passenger

The Artemis II astronauts awoke early Wednesday morning to begin suiting up. Launch Director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson and her team are prepared in the firing room.

A plush toy named Rise, carrying the names of over 5.6 million people, will accompany the crew. Inspired by the iconic “Earthrise” photo from Apollo 8, Rise was designed by Lucas Ye of California and selected from over 2,600 submissions. Commander Reid Wiseman stated, “We are going for all and by all. It’s time to fly.”

Historical Significance and Crew Diversity

This mission marks a significant departure from the Apollo era, with a more diverse crew including a woman, a person of color, and a Canadian astronaut. The Artemis II crew reflects a broader representation than the all-white, male test pilot corps of the past.