NASA releases all launch dates for Artemis II. This is how soon we could be going back to the Moon

NASA' Artemis II mission to send astronauts round the Moon and back could launch as early as 6 February 2026, the space agency has said.

Failing that, there are multiple further dates allocated for Artemis II.

The mission will see a crewed spacecraft return to the Moon for the first time since the Apollo era.

While no astronauts will be setting foot on the Moon this time – we have to wait for Artemis III for that –the mission marks a pivotal moment in the programme and future plans to put a permanent human settlement on the lunar surface.

It follows the launch in on 16 November 2022 of the uncrewed Artemis I test flight.

Here's what we know about Artemis II preparations and the possible dates the mission could lift off.

Artemis II preparations

As of mid-January, NASA is entering the final stages of preparation for the Artemis II mission, which is the first crewed flight of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft.

The space agency says it's preparing to roll the fully stacked vehicle to Launch Pad 39B at Kennedy Space Center in Florida no earlier than Saturday 17 January 2026.

This rollout from the Vehicle Assembly Building will mark the start of final integration, testing and launch rehearsals for Artemis II.

It's not a quick task, though. The vehicle has to travel four miles during the rollout, with the total journey expected to take up to 12 hours.

And NASA says the rollout date could change if additional technical work or weather delays arise.

Once at the launch pad, NASA will undertake further mission preparations including connecting electrical power, environmental control systems and cryogenic propellant lines.

All integrated systems will be powered up together at the pad for the first time, too, to check the rocket and infrastructure on the ground are working as they should be.

These tests complete, the Artemis II crew – NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch along with Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen – will conduct a final walkdown at the pad.

Artemis II rehearsal

Towards the end of January 2026, NASA says it will conduct a wet dress rehearsal ahead of the launch.

This includes a full launch countdown practice and demonstrating the ability to load over 700,000 gallons of liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen into the rocket.

They'll rehearse countdown procedures, propellant loading and removal and closeout crew operations without the astronauts onboard.

After a successful rehearsal, NASA will then assess all systems before committing to a launch date.

The Artemis II launch window opens on 6 February 2026, but the final timing of the launch will depend on technical readiness and orbital constraints, NASA says.

Artemis II launch periods

Here are NASA's stated periods for Artemis II launch availability through April 2026.

Launch period 31 January – 14 February

Launch opportunities: 6, 7, 8, 10, and 11 February

Launch period 28 February – 13 March

Launch opportunities: 6, 7, 8, 9, 11 March

Launch period 27 March – 10 April

Launch opportunities: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 April

What are your thoughts on the Artemis II mission? Let us know by emailing contactus@skyatnightmagazine.com