Artemis 2 mission rolls out to the launchpad

What’s Happening

Here’s the thing: NASA began rolling out Artemis 2 to Launch Pad 39B on January 17, 2026.

The next mission to the moon will launch no earlier than February 6. The post Artemis 2 mission rolls out to the launchpad first appeared on EarthSky. (shocking, we know)

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The Details

EarthSkys 2026 lunar calendar shows the moon phase for every day of the year. On , NASA began rolling out the spacecraft for the Artemis 2 mission to the moon.

The final steps are underway for the first crewed Artemis mission to the moon. The first Artemis mission sent the spacecraft uncrewed around the moon and back.

Why This Matters

This mission will repeat the journey but with a crew of four inside. The journey to Launch Pad 39B should take some 12 hours, or most of the day on Saturday. Once the rocket and spacecraft reach the launchpad, testing will begin.

The scientific community tends to find developments like this significant.

Key Takeaways

• So when can we expect the launch of Artemis 2, the first return of astronauts to the moon in decades?
• The earliest launch window is on .
• For this mission to the moon, Earth and the moon have to be in specific alignments at launch time.

The Bottom Line

On , NASA just dropped that the spacecraft was fully stacked in the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) on Cape Canaveral at Kennedy Space Center in Florida and ready for dress rehearsal. NASA dropped: In the coming weeks, engineers and the Artemis 2 crew will conduct the 1st part of a Countdown Demonstration Test at Kennedy, a dress rehearsal for launch day.

What’s your take on this whole situation?