when is artemis 2 launching

Artemis II is currently targeted to launch in early February 2026, with NASA planning a launch window that opens around 6–7 February and extends through the spring, aiming to fly before the end of April 2026.

Quick Scoop: Artemis II Launch Timing

• The formal schedule lists Artemis II for no earlier than 6 February 2026 , as the first crewed mission in NASA’s Artemis program to travel around the Moon.

• Launch windows run from early February through late April 2026 , giving NASA flexibility to pick an exact day once all systems are cleared.

• Some launch-tracking sites currently show a specific target around 7 February 2026 (about 02:45 UTC) , but this remains tentative and subject to change as testing continues.

Latest News Context

• NASA officials have indicated they are working to launch by April 2026 , while also exploring options to fly as early as February if integration and testing stay on track.

• The mission is a roughly 10‑day crewed flight around the Moon , designed to prove Orion and the Space Launch System (SLS) with astronauts onboard before any lunar landing attempt on Artemis III later in the decade.

What To Expect Next

• A firm calendar date will only be locked in after final reviews of the SLS rocket, the Orion spacecraft, and ground systems at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

• As of January 2026, the safest way to phrase it is: Artemis II is scheduled for no earlier than early February 2026 , with NASA aiming to launch by the end of April 2026 , depending on final checks and possible delays.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.