NASA Targets March 6 for Launch of Long-Awaited Artemis II Moon Mission

February 21, 2026

TL;DR

NASA aims for a March 6 launch for the Artemis II mission, sending four astronauts on a lunar flyby.
The mission will be the first human departure from low-Earth orbit in over half a century, using the SLS rocket and Orion capsule.
A successful 'wet dress rehearsal' countdown for fueling the SLS rocket was completed, overcoming previous hydrogen leak issues.
Astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen will travel farther from Earth than any humans in history.
Pending work includes installing platforms for battery servicing and a flight readiness review.

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