NASA is preparing to launch the Artemis 2 mission with a crewed flight on February 6, 2026, marking the first circumlunar journey in the last 50 years.

The Artemis 2 mission, the first crewed mission of NASA's Artemis program, is scheduled for launch on February 6, 2026, if all plans are followed. It will transport astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen on a circumlunar journey, representing a crucial step in establishing a permanent human presence on the Moon. Prepared for nearly 20 years, the mission will utilize the Orion spacecraft, which is on the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, and will last 10 days. After launch, the crew will conduct checks of the spacecraft's systems before engaging on the trajectory to the Moon. Artemis 2 will be the first mission with humans around the Moon since the Apollo program, and NASA has encountered delays due to technical issues. The Artemis 3 mission, which will bring astronauts to the lunar surface, is planned for 2027, but delays in the development of SpaceX's Starship could postpone this date. NASA is now focused on ensuring a safe launch for Artemis 2, with final checks of the SLS and Orion systems underway.