Key Takeaways
- As of January 24, 2026, the Artemis II vehicle is at Launch Pad 39B undergoing final checkouts ahead of a planned February launch.
- The 10-day mission will send a crew of four on a trajectory around the far side of the Moon, reaching a record distance from Earth.
- Key upcoming milestones include a Wet Dress Rehearsal in early February, followed by launch, a four-day outbound coast, and a high-speed reentry.
Introduction
The Artemis II mission represents a significant step in human spaceflight, designed as a crewed lunar flyby test flight. Based on schedule information accurate as of today, January 24, 2026, the mission is in its final preparatory stages before embarking on a 10-day journey that will take humans further into space than ever before. The schedule outlined here tracks the progression from current operations at the launch pad through launch, the lunar encounter, and the eventual return to Earth.
The Current State of Artemis II (Pre-Launch Phase)
Today, January 24, 2026, marks a point where preparation transitions into final readiness. The status of the mission is currently listed as “In Progress,” indicating active operations are underway to meet the targeted launch windows.
Operations at Launch Pad 39B
The central focus of current activities is Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The fully integrated launch vehicle, consisting of the massive Space Launch System (SLS) rocket topped with the Orion spacecraft, is positioned at Launch Pad 39B. The vehicle has been at the pad since mid-January 2026.
Being at the pad allows ground teams to conduct a series of final system checkouts. These checks are essential to verify that all interfaces between the rocket, the spacecraft, and ground systems are functioning correctly in the launch environment. The integration of the SLS and Orion is a complex process, and the time spent at the pad ensures that every connection – electrical, data, and fluid – is secure and verified before propellant loading begins.
Crew Finalizations
Parallel to the technical work on the hardware, the four-member crew is completing their training finalizations. While the bulk of their years-long training is complete, this final phase involves activities specifically tied to the configured vehicle at the launch site. These finalizations ensure the crew’s readiness matches the hardware’s readiness, synchronizing the human element with the machine they will operate during the 10-day mission.
Immediate Upcoming Milestones
Before the Artemis II vehicle can lift off, specific critical milestones must be met in the coming weeks. These steps validate the entire launch flow and provide official clearance for the mission to proceed.
The Wet Dress Rehearsal (WDR)
The next major event on the schedule is the Wet dress rehearsal (WDR). This practice run is scheduled to take place No Earlier Than (NET) February 2, 2026. The WDR is a comprehensive test that simulates a full launch countdown without actually igniting the engines.
During this test, launch controllers will proceed through the timeline just as they will on launch day. The defining characteristic of the “wet” dress rehearsal is the loading of cryogenic propellants into the SLS rocket’s core stage and upper stage tanks. This involves pumping super-cold liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen into the vehicle.
The test demonstrates the ground systems’ ability to handle these extremely cold fluids and load the massive rocket efficiently. Once loaded, the teams practice terminal countdown procedures. Following the simulated cutoff, the teams then practice draining the propellants from the rocket, a procedure as vital as loading them. Successfully completing the WDR is a prerequisite for proceeding to the actual launch attempt.
Final Launch Readiness Reviews
Following a successful WDR and the analysis of data collected during the test, the schedule moves toward Final Launch Readiness Reviews in early February 2026. These reviews are formal checkpoints where senior managers and engineers from NASA and partner agencies convene to assess the overall status of the mission.
During these reviews, every aspect of the mission is scrutinized. This includes the technical health of the SLS and Orion, the readiness of the launch control team and mission control centers, the status of the recovery forces, and final confirmation of weather constraints. The outcome of these meetings is a polling process where managers must affirm that their respective systems are ready. A unanimous “Go for Launch” decision from these reviews clears the path for the start of the real launch countdown.
Launch and Early Orbit Operations (Flight Days 0-1)
Once the final reviews are complete and the countdown begins, the mission enters its execution phase. The first two days are characterized by dynamic events involving launch, orbital insertion, and extensive systems testing near Earth.
Liftoff Timing and Windows
The targeted launch date for Artemis II is currently set for NET February 6, 2026. This date represents the opening of the primary launch window. If technical issues or weather conditions prevent a launch on this specific day, several subsequent launch windows are available.
The schedule identifies consecutive launch opportunities from February 6 through February 11. Should the mission not launch during this initial period, the next available window opens from February 28 through March 13. A subsequent window follows from March 27 through April 10. These windows are determined by orbital mechanics, requiring specific alignments of Earth and the Moon to ensure the spacecraft can achieve its targeted trajectory.
Liftoff will occur from Launch Pad 39B at Kennedy Space Center. The SLS rocket provides the immense thrust needed to lift the Orion spacecraft off the pad and begin its ascent through the atmosphere, eventually placing it into Earth orbit.
Earth Orbit Operations
Following ascent, the mission enters the Earth Orbit Operations phase, which spans roughly the first 24 to 42 hours post-launch (Flight Days 0 and 1). The initial ascent places Orion into a temporary low-Earth orbit.
From this initial orbit, the craft will perform maneuvers to raise its orbit significantly. The plan involves raising both the perigee (the closest point to Earth) and the apogee (the farthest point from Earth) to create a high elliptical orbit that reaches approximately 70,000 kilometers away from the planet.
This high elliptical orbit is used as a staging ground for rigorous checkout activities. Before committing the crew to the deep space journey toward the Moon, mission controllers and the crew must verify that Artemis II is fully functional. This period includes comprehensive systems checks of life support, power, thermal control, and communications.
Crucially, this phase includes crew manual control tests. While Orion is designed to operate autonomously for much of the flight, verifying the crew’s ability to pilot the spacecraft manually is a key objective of this test flight. The crew will also conduct proximity operations with the ICPS (Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage), the upper stage of the SLS rocket that placed them in orbit, to evaluate handling qualities near another object in space.
The Journey Outward (Flight Days 1-5)
Once confidence in the vehicle’s systems is established during the high Earth orbit operations, Artemis II will depart Earth’s vicinity and begin the transit to the Moon.
Translunar Injection (TLI) and Outbound Coast
The departure from Earth orbit is achieved through a maneuver known as Translunar injection (TLI). This critical burn is performed by the European Service Module, which provides propulsion, power, and air, and water for the Orion crew module. The service module’s main engine will fire to increase the spacecraft’s velocity, breaking it free from high Earth orbit and setting it on a precise trajectory toward the Moon.
This TLI maneuver marks the beginning of the outbound coast phase, which takes place from Flight Day 1 or 2 through Flight Day 5. It is a four-day journey across the divide between Earth and the Moon. During this coast, the spacecraft is largely subjected to the gravitational forces of the Earth-Moon system. However, the trajectory is rarely perfect immediately following TLI. Therefore, the schedule accounts for trajectory correction maneuvers during the outbound trip. These are smaller engine firings designed to fine-tune the spacecraft’s path, ensuring it arrives at the precise location relative to the Moon at the exact right time.
The Lunar Encounter (Flight Days 5-6)
The apex of the Artemis II mission occurs around Flight Days 5 and 6, as the spacecraft reaches the vicinity of the Moon.
Lunar Flyby and Maximum Distance
Artemis II is a flyby mission, meaning it will not enter lunar orbit. Instead, it will use the Moon’s gravity to sling itself around the far side and back toward Earth. The spacecraft will pass behind the Moon, offering the crew views of the lunar surface and the perspective of seeing Earth rise over the lunar horizon.
Following the flyby of the Moon’s far side, the spacecraft’s momentum will carry it further out into space before gravity begins pulling it back. During this phase, on Flight Day 5 or 6, Artemis II will reach its maximum distance from Earth. The schedule indicates the crew will travel more than 230,000 miles away from Earth. At this specific point, they will be approximately 10,000 kilometers past the Moon. Achieving this distance will set a new record, marking the furthest distance that humans have ever traveled into space.
The Return Journey and Earth Landing (Flight Days 6-10)
After reaching the point of maximum distance, the physics of the trajectory will naturally begin the return journey to Earth. This final leg of the mission tests the vehicle’s ability to bring the crew home safely from deep space.
Return Coast
The return trip, spanning from Flight Day 6 to Flight Day 9, is a four-day coast back toward Earth. The mission utilizes a free-return trajectory. This type of path ensures that once the spacecraft loops around the Moon, gravity alone will return it to Earth’s atmosphere without requiring a major propulsive burn to turn around.
While the trajectory is designed for a free return, minor adjustments are often necessary. Similar to the outbound journey, mid-course correction burns are planned as needed during the return coast. These small engine firings refine the spacecraft’s entry corridor, ensuring it hits the atmosphere at the correct angle and location.
Reentry and Splashdown
The mission concludes on Flight Day 10, approximately 10 days after launch. As Orion approaches Earth, a critical separation event occurs. The Crew Module, containing the four astronauts, separates from the European Service Module. The service module, having completed its job, will burn up upon entering the atmosphere.
The Crew Module then executes a high-speed atmospheric reentry. Because it is returning from the Moon, Orion will be traveling much faster than spacecraft returning from low-Earth orbit, hitting the atmosphere at roughly 25,000 mph. The heat shield must protect the crew from the intense temperatures generated during this deceleration.
Following the fiery reentry phase, the spacecraft’s parachute system will deploy to slow the descent further. The sequence involves drogue parachutes followed by the main parachutes, gently lowering the capsule to the surface. The schedule calls for a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean, specifically off the coast of San Diego. Immediately following splashdown, recovery teams from the US Navy and NASA, already stationed in the area, will approach the capsule to retrieve the crew and the spacecraft, formally ending the mission.
Mission Crew
Executing this complex 10-day mission is a dedicated crew of four astronauts who have trained extensively for the specific profile of Artemis II.
- Commander Reid Wiseman leads the mission.
- Pilot Victor Glover is responsible for spacecraft systems and piloting tasks.
- Mission Specialist Christina Koch brings extensive spaceflight experience to the team.
- Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen represents the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), highlighting the international partnership involved in the Artemis program.
Summary
The Artemis II mission schedule, accurate as of January 24, 2026, outlines a methodical progression from final pre-launch preparations to a 10-day deep space test flight. Currently at Launch Pad 39B, the vehicle will undergo a Wet Dress Rehearsal in early February before a planned liftoff NET February 6. The mission profile involves extensive checkouts in high Earth orbit, a four-day outbound trip powered by the European Service Module, a lunar flyby that takes the crew further than any humans have traveled before, and a four-day return coast using a free-return trajectory. The mission concludes on Flight Day 10 with a high-speed reentry and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego, where joint Navy and NASA teams will recover the crew.
Appendix: Top 10 Questions Answered in This Article
What is the current status of the Artemis II mission as of January 24, 2026?
As of January 24, 2026, the Artemis II mission status is “In Progress.” The SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft are integrated and located at Launch Pad 39B at Kennedy Space Center, where they have been since mid-January undergoing final system checkouts and crew training finalizations.
When is the Artemis II launch scheduled to take place?
The launch is scheduled for No Earlier Than (NET) February 6, 2026. If launch does not occur on that date, additional windows are available from February 6-11, February 28-March 13, and March 27-April 10.
What is a Wet Dress Rehearsal (WDR) and when will it occur for Artemis II?
A Wet Dress Rehearsal is a full launch countdown practice that includes loading and draining liquid hydrogen and oxygen propellants into the rocket. For Artemis II, this test is scheduled to take place NET February 2, 2026.
How long is the Artemis II mission planned to last?
The Artemis II mission is planned as a 10-day crewed lunar flyby test flight. It begins with launch on Flight Day 0 and concludes with splashdown on Flight Day 10, approximately 10 days post-launch.
What happens during the Earth Orbit Operations phase of the mission?
During the first 24 to 42 hours post-launch, the spacecraft enters low-Earth orbit and then performs maneuvers to raise its apogee to a high elliptical orbit of approximately 70,000 km. This phase is used for extensive systems checks, manual control tests by the crew, and proximity operations with the ICPS upper stage.
How does the Orion spacecraft travel from Earth orbit to the Moon?
The spacecraft performs a maneuver called Translunar Injection (TLI) between Flight Day 1 and 2. The European Service Module fires its engine to propel Orion out of Earth orbit and onto a four-day outbound trajectory toward the Moon.
Will Artemis II enter orbit around the Moon?
No, Artemis II is a lunar flyby mission. The spacecraft will fly around the far side of the Moon on Flight Day 5 or 6 but will not enter a stable lunar orbit.
What is the maximum distance from Earth that the Artemis II crew will reach?
After flying by the Moon, the crew will reach a maximum distance of more than 230,000 miles from Earth. This point will be approximately 10,000 km past the Moon, setting a record for the furthest humans have traveled.
How does the spacecraft return to Earth after passing the Moon?
The mission utilizes a free-return trajectory. After looping around the Moon, the spacecraft uses gravity to naturally return toward Earth on a four-day coast, requiring only small mid-course correction burns to fine-tune the path.
Where and how will the Artemis II mission end?
The mission ends on Flight Day 10 with a high-speed atmospheric reentry of the Crew Module at approximately 25,000 mph following separation from the service module. Parachutes will deploy for a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego, followed by recovery by US Navy and NASA teams.
Appendix: Top 10 Frequently Searched Questions Answered in This Article
Who are the astronauts on the Artemis II mission?
The crew consists of Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, Mission Specialist Christina Koch, and Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen from the Canadian Space Agency (CSA).
What is the purpose of the Artemis II mission?
Artemis II is a crewed lunar flyby test flight designed to validate the systems of the Orion spacecraft and SLS rocket in deep space with humans on board before future lunar landing missions.
What are Final Launch Readiness Reviews?
These are meetings held in early February 2026 where NASA and partner agencies review all aspects of mission systems and teams to confirm they are ready, resulting in a final “Go for Launch” decision.
What is the role of the European Service Module on Artemis II?
The European Service Module provides propulsion, power, air, and water for the Orion crew module, and performs critical engine burns like the Translunar Injection.
How fast does Orion reenter Earth’s atmosphere?
Because it is returning from the Moon, the Orion Crew Module reenters Earth’s atmosphere at a high speed of approximately 25,000 mph.
What is a free-return trajectory?
A free-return trajectory is a flight path that uses the Moon’s gravity to sling the spacecraft back toward Earth without requiring a major engine burn to reverse direction after the lunar flyby.
When did the Artemis II vehicle arrive at Launch Pad 39B?
The integrated SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft have been at Launch Pad 39B since mid-January 2026.
What happens during the outbound coast phase?
During the four-day outbound coast from Flight Day 1/2 to Day 5, the spacecraft travels from Earth toward the Moon, performing trajectory correction maneuvers as needed to ensure an accurate arrival.
Where will the Artemis II splashdown recovery take place?
The recovery operations following splashdown will take place in the Pacific Ocean, specifically off the coast of San Diego.
What tests are conducted in high elliptical orbit before going to the Moon?
Before departing for the Moon, the crew conducts systems checks, manual piloting control tests, and proximity operations with the ICPS upper stage in a high elliptical Earth orbit.
