NASA Progresses Toward Artemis II Moon Mission
NASA is making significant strides toward the launch of its Artemis II mission, the first crewed flight in the ambitious Artemis program aimed at returning humans to the Moon and eventually paving the way for Mars exploration. On October 18, 2025, technicians at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida successfully secured the Orion spacecraft atop the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket in the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). This monumental assembly marks a crucial step in the mission, which is slated to launch no later than April 2026. Artemis II will carry four astronauts, including NASA’s Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen, on a ten-day journey around the Moon and back, setting the stage for future lunar exploration.
As preparations intensify, NASA has undertaken critical verification tests to ensure the spacecraft and rocket communicate effectively with ground systems. These tests have confirmed that the interfaces between the SLS, Orion, and ground support systems are functioning correctly, which is vital for mission success. Acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy emphasized the importance of the Artemis II mission, stating it will lay the groundwork for future lunar landings and missions to Mars. In the coming weeks, the Artemis II crew will participate in a Countdown Demonstration Test, simulating the final moments before launch while wearing their crew survival suits. This rehearsal will take place inside the VAB, as the crew prepares for various scenarios that could arise during their historic mission.
The Artemis II mission is not just a test of technology but also a rigorous training program for the astronauts involved. The crew will engage in integrated simulations and practice procedures for all phases of the flight to ensure they are fully prepared for any situation that may occur. With a focus on scientific discovery and economic benefits, the Artemis program aims to establish a sustainable human presence on the Moon, ultimately serving as a stepping stone for future crewed missions to Mars. As the countdown to launch continues, NASA’s commitment to safety and thorough preparation remains paramount, ensuring that the Artemis II mission will be a landmark achievement in space exploration.
Technicians with NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems team use a crane to lift and secure NASA’s Orion spacecraft on top of the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket in High Bay 3 of the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, for the agency’s Artemis II mission. Set to launch in 2026, the spacecraft will carry NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen on a 10-day mission around the Moon and back. Once stacked, teams will begin conducting a series of verification tests ahead of rolling out to Launch Complex 39B for the wet dress rehearsal at NASA Kennedy.
NASA/Kim Shiflett
As 2026 nears, NASA continues moving forward to launching and flying
Artemis II
, the first crewed mission under the Artemis campaign, no later than April next year.
NASA’s Orion spacecraft, complete with its launch abort system escape tower, is now integrated with the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket in the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Following Orion stacking, teams completed testing critical communications systems between SLS and Orion, and confirmed the interfaces function properly between the rocket, Orion, and the ground systems, including end-to-end testing with the Near Space Network and Deep Space Network, which aid in communications and navigation.
“NASA remains focused on getting ready to safely fly four astronauts around the Moon and back,” said acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy. “Our mission will lay the groundwork for future missions to the lunar surface and to Mars.”
In the coming weeks, engineers and the Artemis II crew will conduct the first part of a Countdown Demonstration Test at Kennedy, a dress rehearsal for launch day. The crew will don their Orion crew survival system spacesuits and venture to their rocket before being secured inside Orion, which the crew recently named Integrity, simulating the final moments of the countdown. Because the rocket and spacecraft are not yet at the launch pad, the crew will board Orion inside the VAB. The test will serve as a final verification of the timeline for the crew and supporting teams on the ground. A second part of the test, preparing for an emergency at the launch pad, will occur after the rocket and spacecraft roll out to Launch Pad 39B.
NASA astronaut Christina Koch, Artemis II mission specialist, and the remaining Artemis II crew members walk on the crew access arm of the mobile launcher in the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025.
NASA/Kim Shiflett
The Artemis II crew and ground personnel responsible for launching and flying the mission are preparing to conduct additional integrated simulations across teams and facilities to prepare for any scenario that could arise as the crew of four launches from Florida and flies their approximately 10-day mission.
NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, have a busy schedule over the next several months reviewing procedures for all phases of flight until their preparations are second nature, practicing for different mission scenarios, and maintaining their familiarity with every element of their spacecraft.
Through Artemis, NASA will send astronauts to explore the Moon for scientific discovery, economic benefits, and build the foundation for the first crewed missions to Mars.
NASA
