NASA Sets March 6 for Artemis 2 Lunar Mission Launch

Feb 20, 2026

52 min

Feb 20, 2026 17:30

NASA announces earliest date for Artemis 2 lunar launch

## Launch Date Announced

NASA has announced March 6 as the earliest possible launch date for the Artemis 2 mission, marking the first crewed lunar flyby in over five decades. This mission will involve the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and the Orion spacecraft.

## Preparations Underway

Lori Glaze, a senior NASA official, emphasized that several steps must be completed before the launch, including pad work, a flight readiness review, and a dress rehearsal analysis. These preparations are crucial to ensure the mission proceeds as planned.

## Recent Rehearsal

A recent rehearsal of the SLS rocket was conducted successfully, following a previous attempt in early February that was cut short due to technical issues, including a liquid hydrogen leak. The latest rehearsal concluded at "T-29 seconds" in the countdown, indicating progress.

## Crew Details

The Artemis 2 mission will carry three American astronauts and one Canadian astronaut. This mission is a significant step in NASA's efforts to return humans to the Moon, with the last crewed lunar mission occurring in 1972.

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