Trending Now - NASA and China Prepare for Groundbreaking 2024 Moon Missions

WHO:

Lori Glaze, associate administrator of Exploration Systems Development at NASA Headquarters, stated, "Keep in mind we still have work to go. There are still things that need to be done within the VAB and out at the pad."

John Honeycutt, chair of NASA's Artemis mission management team, mentioned, "We’re probably not 1 in 50 on the mission going exactly like we want to, but we’re probably not 1 in 2 like we were on the first flight."

Shawn Quinn, manager of Artemis ground systems, expressed pride in the team's quick resolution of issues.

Lori Glaze, associate administrator of Exploration Systems Development at NASA Headquarters, stated, "Just a reminder to everybody, we talk about it every time we talk about this flight, it's a test flight, and it is not without risk. But our team and our hardware are ready."

Shawn Quinn, manager of Artemis ground systems, expressed pride in the team's quick resolution of issues.

Lori Glaze, associate administrator of Exploration Systems Development at NASA Headquarters, stated, "all the teams polled 'go' to launch and fly Artemis II around the moon."

John Honeycutt, chair of NASA's Artemis mission management team, discussed mission risk assessments.

NASA

Lori Glaze, associate administrator of Exploration Systems Development at NASA Headquarters

Shawn Quinn, manager of Artemis ground systems

Reid Wiseman, NASA astronaut and Artemis II commander

Victor Glover, NASA astronaut

Christina Koch, NASA astronaut

Jeremy Hansen, Canadian Space Agency astronaut

Jared Isaacman, NASA's new administrator

WHAT:

NASA plans to roll the Artemis II rocket back to the launch pad on March 19, 2026, for final preparations.

The Artemis II mission is now targeted for a potential launch on April 1, 2026, at 6:24 p.m. EDT, with a backup date of April 2, 2026, at 7:22 p.m. EDT.

The mission will last 10 days, with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean nine days after launch.

NASA's Office of Inspector General reported a mission risk threshold of 1-in-40 during lunar operations and 1-in-30 from launch to splashdown.

The Artemis II mission was originally planned for early February 2026 but was delayed due to hydrogen fuel leaks and issues with the rocket's upper stage propellant pressurization system.

NASA's new administrator, Jared Isaacman, announced a major overhaul of the Artemis program, adding an extra practice flight in orbit around Earth for next year.

NASA plans to roll the Artemis II rocket back to the launch pad on March 19, 2026, for final preparations.

The Artemis II mission is now targeted for a potential launch on April 1, 2026, at 6:24 p.m. EDT, with a backup date of April 2, 2026, at 7:22 p.m. EDT.

The Artemis II mission will last 10 days, with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean nine days after launch.

NASA's Office of Inspector General reported a mission risk threshold of 1-in-40 during lunar operations and 1-in-30 from launch to splashdown.

NASA plans to roll the Artemis II rocket back to the launch pad on March 19, 2026, for final preparations.

The Artemis II mission is now targeted for a potential launch on April 1, 2026, at 6:24 p.m. EDT, with a backup date of April 2, 2026, at 7:22 p.m. EDT.

The mission will last 10 days, with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean nine days after launch.

NASA's Office of Inspector General reported a mission risk threshold of 1-in-40 during lunar operations and 1-in-30 from launch to splashdown.

The Artemis II mission was originally planned for early February 2026 but was delayed due to hydrogen fuel leaks and issues with the rocket's upper stage propellant pressurization system.

NASA plans to roll the Artemis II rocket back to the launch pad on March 19, 2026.

The Artemis II mission is now targeted for a potential launch on April 1, 2026, with a backup date of April 2, 2026, at 7:22 p.m. EDT.

The mission will last 10 days, with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean nine days after launch.

NASA's Office of Inspector General reported a mission risk threshold of 1-in-40 during lunar operations and 1-in-30 from launch to splashdown.

NASA plans to launch Artemis II on April 1, 2026.

The mission will send four astronauts on a nine-day trip around the moon.

The launch is expected at 6:24 p.m. EDT.

The crew will fly within about 4,100 miles of the moon's surface at closest approach.

The mission will mark the first human trip to the moon since Apollo 17 in 1972.

NASA's Office of Inspector General reported a mission risk of 1-in-30 from launch to splashdown.

The Artemis II mission was originally planned for early February 2026 but was delayed due to technical issues.

WHERE:

Kennedy Space Center, Florida

NASA's Vehicle Assembly Building

WHEN:

The crew will enter quarantine on March 18, 2026, and travel to Florida on March 27, 2026.

NASA must launch by April 6, 2026, or the flight will be delayed another month.

The crew will enter quarantine on March 18, 2026, and travel to Florida on March 27, 2026.

NASA must launch by April 6, 2026, or the flight will be delayed another month.

The crew will enter quarantine on March 18, 2026, and travel to Florida on March 27, 2026.

NASA must launch by April 6, 2026, or the flight will be delayed another month.

The crew will enter quarantine on March 18, 2026, and travel to Florida on March 27, 2026.

The Artemis II launch is targeted for April 1, 2026.

The crew will enter quarantine on March 18, 2026.

The crew will travel to Florida on March 27, 2026.

NASA must launch by April 6, 2026, or the flight will be delayed another month.

WHY:

The Artemis II mission was delayed due to issues with the rocket's helium system, which regulates pressures in the vehicle's fuel tanks.

The launch was delayed due to hydrogen fuel leaks and issues with the rocket's upper stage propellant pressurization system.

NASA aims to return astronauts to the moon as part of the Artemis program, originally established during the Trump administration.

HOW:

Technicians repaired the helium issue by replacing a seal in the rocket's helium quick-disconnect fitting.

Engineers fixed hydrogen leaks by replacing seals in the umbilical system.

Technicians repaired the helium issue by replacing a seal in the rocket's helium quick-disconnect fitting.

Engineers fixed hydrogen leaks by replacing seals in the umbilical system.

Technicians repaired the helium issue by replacing a seal in the rocket's helium quick-disconnect fitting.

Engineers fixed hydrogen leaks by replacing seals in the umbilical system.

Technicians repaired the helium issue by replacing a seal in the rocket's helium quick-disconnect fitting.

Engineers fixed hydrogen leaks by replacing seals in the umbilical system.

The rocket was returned to the Vehicle Assembly Building for repairs to the helium system.

Technicians replaced a displaced seal in a helium quick-disconnect fitting to resolve the pressurization issue.

(UPDATED March 13, 2026 23:06 UTC)

NASA is gearing up for the Artemis II mission, with plans to roll the rocket back to the launch pad on March 19 for final preparations, targeting a launch on April 1 at 6:24 p.m. EDT. The mission, which will last ten days and conclude with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean, faced delays due to issues with the rocket's helium system and hydrogen leaks, but technicians have since made the necessary repairs. Crew members will enter quarantine on March 18 and travel to Florida on March 27, with a critical deadline to launch by April 6 to avoid further delays.

(UPDATED March 13, 2026 17:09 UTC)

NASA is preparing to roll the Artemis II rocket back to the launch pad on March 19, 2026, for final preparations, with a targeted launch date of April 1 at 6:24 p.m. EDT. The mission, which will last ten days and includes a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean, faced delays due to issues with the rocket's helium system, but technicians have since repaired the problem by replacing a seal in the helium quick-disconnect fitting. As the crew enters quarantine on March 18 and travels to Florida on March 27, NASA emphasizes that while they are making progress, there are still challenges ahead, with a mission risk threshold of 1-in-40 during lunar operations.

(UPDATED March 13, 2026 05:22 UTC)

NASA is gearing up for the Artemis II mission, with plans to roll the rocket back to the launch pad on March 19 for final preparations ahead of a potential launch on April 1 at 6:24 p.m. EDT. Lori Glaze, from NASA's Exploration Systems Development, emphasized the mission's test flight nature and acknowledged the team's readiness, while Shawn Quinn expressed pride in their swift resolution of recent technical issues, including helium and hydrogen leaks. The crew will enter quarantine on March 18 and travel to Florida on March 27, with a critical launch deadline set for April 6, or the mission will face another month of delays.

(UPDATED March 13, 2026 03:41 UTC)

NASA is moving forward with the Artemis II mission, as Lori Glaze announced that all teams are ready to launch and fly around the moon, with the rocket scheduled to roll back to the launch pad on March 19. The mission is now set for a potential launch on April 1, with a backup date of April 2, and will last ten days, culminating in a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Crew members will enter quarantine on March 18 before heading to Florida on March 27, following repairs to the rocket's helium system that caused previous delays.

(UPDATED March 13, 2026 01:24 UTC)

NASA has announced plans to launch Artemis II on April 1, 2026, sending four astronauts on a nine-day journey around the moon, marking the first human trip to the lunar surface since Apollo 17 in 1972. The launch is scheduled for 6:24 p.m. EDT from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, following delays due to hydrogen fuel leaks and issues with the rocket's upper stage propellant pressurization system. The crew will enter quarantine on March 18 and travel to Florida on March 27, with NASA needing to launch by April 6 to avoid further delays.