Launch preparations are well underway for the Artemis II mission, NASA’s highly anticipated lunar flyby. This mission will mark the first time humans have traveled to the moon in 53 years.

Fueling the Rocket

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 delay to the mission. 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 beginning 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 broader plans for establishing a permanent moon base. The agency is currently targeting a moon landing near the lunar south pole in 2028.

The Countdown and Trajectory

The countdown, referred to as “L-minus,” tracks the time remaining until liftoff. The final 10 minutes of the countdown are particularly critical, with automated software initiating a series of precise milestones. The clock can be paused if issues arise, allowing for potential fixes.

Successful launch requires precise alignment between the Earth and moon. The Orion capsule will undergo systems checks in near-Earth orbit before firing its main engine to propel it toward the moon, utilizing a gravity-assisted slingshot maneuver. Orion also requires sunlight for power and must avoid prolonged periods in darkness.

Crew Preparations and a Special Passenger

The hydrogen tank of the rocket’s core stage is now 100% filled, with no significant leaks reported during fueling. The Artemis II crew – three Americans and one Canadian – began preparations early Wednesday morning.

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

The Artemis II crew represents a more diverse astronaut corps than previous lunar missions, including a woman and a person of color.