NASA Moon mission: When does Artemis 2 launch? Date, timeline, crew and what to expect

NASA’s return to crewed lunar missions is now entering its most critical phase. The countdown for Artemis II has officially begun at Kennedy Space Center, marking a major milestone for the agency’s first crewed Moon mission in more than five decades. With astronauts in quarantine and launch teams at their consoles, all eyes are now on the targeted April 1 liftoff. The mission is set to become the first crewed flight of the Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion spacecraft.

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When does Artemis 2 launch?

The countdown clock is officially running for one of NASA’s most anticipated space missions in recent history. At 4:44 p.m. EDT, the launch countdown for Artemis II began at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, with engineers and launch controllers taking their positions inside the Rocco Petrone Launch Control Center. The mission is currently targeting a 6:24 p.m. EDT liftoff on Wednesday, April 1, as quoted in a report by NASA.

What is happening during the countdown?

With the countdown underway, teams are now focused on the final technical sequence before launch. Engineers are powering up flight systems, checking communications links, and preparing the rocket’s cryogenic hardware for fueling.

One of the most important steps involves loading the SLS rocket with hundreds of thousands of gallons of super-cooled liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen, as quoted in a report by NASA.

At Launch Pad 39B, teams are also filling the sound suppression system’s massive water tank. At liftoff, this system releases a huge water deluge to protect the rocket from the extreme acoustic force generated by its own engines.

NASA’s live broadcast coverage will begin with views of tanking operations, followed by full launch-day coverage as the fueling process moves forward.

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Who are the astronauts on board?

The Artemis II crew includes NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, along with Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen.

The four astronauts are currently staying in crew quarters inside the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building at Kennedy Space Center.

During this final countdown phase, they remain under strict health monitoring and quarantine protocols.

NASA says the crew is following a controlled sleep and nutrition schedule while continuing technical readiness checks and receiving mission updates, including weather and launch system status reports.

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What are the weather conditions for launch?

Weather is always a major factor in any launch, and Artemis II is no exception. NASA and the U.S. Space Force’s Space Launch Delta 45 are closely tracking conditions ahead of tanking operations and launch.

The current forecast shows an 80% chance of favorable weather, with the primary concerns being cloud cover and possible high winds near the launch site.

Teams are expected to continue monitoring weather conditions through launch day. If all goes according to plan, Artemis II will become a defining moment in NASA’s modern Moon program and a major step toward future lunar missions.

FAQs

When is Artemis II scheduled to launch?
The targeted launch time is 6:24 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, April 1.

Who is on the Artemis II crew?
The crew includes Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen.