NASA has announced March 6, 2026, as the earliest possible launch date for its Artemis II mission, marking humanity's first crewed lunar flyby in over five decades. The mission will send four astronauts on a 10-day journey around the moon and back, paving the way for sustained lunar exploration under the Artemis program.
The decision follows Thursday's critical 50-hour wet dress rehearsal for the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, which simulated full launch protocols. Engineers successfully loaded 730,000 gallons of cryogenic propellants and conducted systems checks under real-world conditions, validating readiness for crewed operations.
Artemis II represents a pivotal step toward NASA's goal of landing astronauts on the lunar surface by late 2026. The mission will test life-support systems and spacecraft performance ahead of planned Artemis III surface missions. Global space agencies and private partners are closely monitoring developments, as the program aims to establish sustainable lunar infrastructure this decade.
