NASA is preparing to launch the Artemis II mission at the beginning of April.

NASA announces that the Artemis II mission, which will mark the first time in over 50 years that astronauts will fly around the Moon, is scheduled for early April. The rocket, which was initially planned for launch in March, has been returned for repairs after a helium leak was discovered. NASA intends to bring the rocket back to the launch pad on March 19, with a launch date estimated for April 1. The mission crew, consisting of three American astronauts and one Canadian, will fly with the mega-rocket Space Launch System and the Orion spacecraft, having a 10-day mission around the distant far side of the Moon. NASA leaders emphasize the importance of risk assessment and preparation for potential issues. The agency is also under pressure to launch the mission, which has been previously delayed due to technical problems. NASA has set a deadline for launching Artemis II before the end of April 2026.