NASA’s Artemis program is gearing up for a significant milestone as it prepares for the upcoming Artemis II mission, marking the return of humans to the moon after a hiatus of 52 years. The mission, slated to launch no earlier than Feb. 6, will feature four astronauts including Canadian Space Agency’s Jeremy Hansen and NASA’s Christina Koch, Reid Wiseman, and Victor Glover who will orbit the moon.
Ahead of the historic journey, the Space Launch System (SLS), a towering 100-meter tall rocket, is set to be rolled out for checks. John Honeycutt, the Artemis II mission management team chair, expressed excitement during a recent press conference, emphasizing the historical significance of the mission.
The astronauts will be aboard the Orion spacecraft for a 10-day mission, following the uncrewed Artemis I mission in 2022. While Artemis II won’t involve a lunar landing, the crew will engage in lunar surveillance, experiments, and spacecraft testing in preparation for Artemis III, where astronauts are expected to walk on the moon, tentatively scheduled for 2028.
The rollout of the SLS is scheduled for 7 a.m. ET, with an estimated duration of eight to 12 hours for the rocket to reach the launch pad. Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, Artemis launch director, explained that various preparations, including retracting the crew access arm, will be undertaken before the rocket is in place. Subsequent activities will include finalizing connections and conducting the wet dress rehearsal, a pivotal stage where the rocket is fueled as if for launch, ensuring all systems are primed for the mission.
With lessons learned from Artemis I, the Artemis team is meticulous in their preparations and tests to ensure a successful mission. Blackwell-Thompson highlighted the importance of thorough readiness before giving the green light for launch.
