When will NASA launch the Artemis II mission?

If the critical fueling demonstration on February 3, 2026, is successful, NASA aims to launch the Artemis II crew as early as Sunday, February 8, 2026.

What is the goal of the Artemis II mission?

The nearly 10-day Artemis II mission will send astronauts past the moon and around its far side to test the capsule's life support and other vital systems, with the ultimate goal of preparing for future lunar landings.

Why is the recent fueling test crucial for NASA's moon program?

The fueling test is a critical dress rehearsal to ensure the Space Launch System rocket is ready to send astronauts on a lunar fly-around, marking the first crewed mission to the moon in over half a century.

Home / Science / NASA's Moon Rocket Fueled for Historic Test Flight

NASA's Moon Rocket Fueled for Historic Test Flight

3 Feb

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Summary

NASA successfully fueled its new moon rocket for a critical test.
The Artemis II mission aims for a lunar fly-around, not a landing.
The crew is in quarantine awaiting the outcome of the fueling test.

NASA's Moon Rocket Fueled for Historic Test Flight

NASA conducted a pivotal make-or-break fueling test of its new moon rocket, the Space Launch System (SLS), on Monday, February 3, 2026. The 322-foot rocket was loaded with over 700,000 gallons of super-cold hydrogen and oxygen at the Kennedy Space Center.

This all-day operation, with the crew of three Americans and one Canadian monitoring remotely from Houston, is essential to determine the launch date for the first crewed lunar voyage in over 50 years. The team began the practice countdown on Saturday night, two days behind schedule due to recent cold weather.

Launch managers expressed confidence that previous issues, such as hydrogen leaks that delayed the rocket in 2022, have been resolved. If the fueling demonstration is successful, NASA aims to launch commander Reid Wiseman and his crew as early as Sunday, February 8, 2026.