NASA Gears Up for Artemis II Launch Around the Moon a Week From Now

NASA continues to plan for the launch of the first crewed mission around the Moon in more than 50 years one week from today. Weather or technical issues could still delay the launch, but the agency is gearing up for launch on April 1 with a series of events beginning Friday. The crew of three Americans and one Canadian will spend 10 days in space traveling further from Earth than anyone since the Apollo era.
The launch of Artemis II from Kennedy Space Center is targeted for 6:24 pm ET on Wednesday, April 1. It can only take place when the Earth and Moon are correctly aligned. Opportunities are available every month. In April, the dates are April 1-6 and April 30.
The Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft had to return to the Vehicle Assembly Building for repairs in February, but rolled back to Launch Complex 39B on March 20 where it is awaiting the “go” for launch.
The four astronauts — NASA’s Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch and Canadian Space Agency’s Jeremy Hansen — entered a 14-day quarantine at Johnson Space Center on March 18. They’ll fly to Kennedy Space Center on Friday and remain in quarantine there until launch.
The list of events includes —
- Friday, March 27, 2:30 pm ET: crew arrival at KSC, greeted by NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman and Canadian Space Agency President Lisa Campbell
- Sunday, March 29, 9:30 am ET: crew answers media questions from their quarantine quarters
- Sunday, March 29, 2:00 pm ET: NASA news conference
- Monday, March 30, 5:00 pm ET: NASA news conference following Mission Management meeting
- Tuesday, March 31, 1:00 pm ET: NASA pre-launch news conference
- Wednesday, April 1:
- 7:45 am ET, coverage of tanking of the SLS rocket
- 12:30 pm ET, NASA launch coverage begins
- 6:24 pm ET, launch
- approximately 2.5 hours later, NASA post-launch news conference
Artemis II will be the first crew to fly to the distance of the Moon since Apollo 17 in December 1972. A test flight, they will not orbit the Moon much less attempt to land, but will use a free-return trajectory to swing around the Moon and back to Earth even if the Orion propulsion system does not perform as planned.
The SLS rocket will put Orion into earth orbit where it will stay for about a day to test out spacecraft systems including life support. Then Orion’s engines will fire to send the crew on a 9-day trek past the Moon and back to Earth, splashing down in the Pacific Ocean.
Artemis I, am uncrewed test flight, took place in November-December 2022. NASA just released plans for the next flights, with Artemis III as an earth-orbiting test flight next year and two lunar landing missions, Artemis IV and V, in 2028. Yesterday NASA laid out plans over the next 10 years to build a lunar base for sustained presence on the Moon.
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Facts Only

Actors: NASA, Canadian Space Agency
Events: Launch of Artemis II mission, Quarantine of astronauts, Plans for future missions and lunar base construction
Dates: April 1 (planned launch date), March 18 (astronauts entered quarantine)
Locations: Kennedy Space Center, Launch Complex 39B

Executive Summary

NASA is preparing for the launch of Artemis II, a crewed mission around the Moon, scheduled for April 1st. The mission will be the first crewed lunar voyage since Apollo 17 in 1972 and will travel further from Earth than any spacecraft has since then. The Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft are currently at Launch Complex 39B, awaiting approval for launch. Four astronauts—NASA's Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency’s Jeremy Hansen—are in quarantine, preparing to travel to Kennedy Space Center on Friday. If all goes according to plan, the Artemis II mission will spend 10 days in space, with Orion traveling past the Moon and returning to Earth. NASA has also announced plans for future missions, including an uncrewed test flight next year (Artemis III) and two lunar landing missions (Artemis IV and V) by 2028, as well as plans for building a lunar base over the next ten years.

Full Take

Artemis II represents a significant step in NASA's return to lunar exploration. However, it's important to consider the broader context of this mission within the larger history of space travel and geopolitics. The renewed focus on lunar missions can be seen as part of a global race for space dominance, with countries such as China and India also investing heavily in space programs. The construction of a lunar base could further intensify this competition, potentially leading to increased tensions or cooperation among nations.
Moreover, the emphasis on lunar exploration raises questions about resource allocation and priorities in space travel. While the Moon has historical significance for human space exploration, there are other areas, such as Mars, that many argue should be a higher priority due to their potential to support human life. The decision to focus on the Moon may also reflect political considerations rather than purely scientific or technological ones.
Lastly, it's worth considering the potential implications of these missions for our understanding of space and humanity's place in the universe. Space exploration has always been a driver of scientific discovery and technological innovation, but it can also have profound cultural and philosophical effects. As we venture further into space, how will these experiences shape our collective identity and understanding of the cosmos?