The Critical NASA Artemis II Launch Date Milestones: SLS Reaches Pad

Humanity's return to the moon is now just a four-mile crawl away. On Jan. 17, 2026, NASA successfully moved its 11 million-pound Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion spacecraft to launchpad 39B at the Kennedy Space Center. The grueling 12-hour journey marks the beginning of the final countdown for the Artemis II mission.

Key Steps for the NASA Artemis II Launch Date

Before four astronauts can embark on their 10-day lunar journey, they must clear the 'wet dress rehearsal.' Scheduled for Feb. 2, this high-stakes test involves loading the rocket with 700,000 gallons of propellant. According to Launch Director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, success here could open launch opportunities as early as Feb. 6, 2026.

Solving the Hurdles of Artemis I

Engineers haven't been idle since the uncrewed flight in 2022. They've redesigned hardware to prevent the hydrogen leaks that plagued previous attempts and upgraded the ground systems. The mission marks the first crewed lunar flight in 53 years, carrying Victor Glover, Christina Koch, Reid Wiseman, and Jeremy Hansen toward a new era of exploration.