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4h ago

Artemis II Moon Rocket Returns to Pad as NASA Eyes Early April Launch

NASA targets an April 1–6 window following helium-line seal repairs, with final pad verifications underway.

Image
The Orion spacecraft sits on top of the NASA Artemis II rocket in the Vehicle Assembly Building before rollout to pad 39B at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Thursday, March 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)
The NASA Artemis II rocket with the Orion spacecraft aboard leaves the Vehicle Assembly Building moving slowly to pad 39B at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Friday, March 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)

Overview

  • The 322-foot SLS and Orion stack rolled roughly 4 miles back to Launch Complex 39B overnight at about 1 mph, with high winds briefly delaying the journey.
  • NASA plans the first launch attempt for April 1 at 6:24 p.m. ET within a two-hour window, with additional opportunities through April 6 before a likely multiweek slip.
  • Commander Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and CSA astronaut Jeremy Hansen are in preflight quarantine and are expected to arrive at Kennedy Space Center about five days before liftoff.
  • Engineers fixed out-of-place seals in an upper-stage helium quick-disconnect, replaced and recharged multiple batteries, and previously addressed a hydrogen leak, with officials indicating the next propellant load will be for launch.
  • Mission teams will monitor solar activity in real time, and Orion carries cabin sensors and crew dosimeters to track exposure, with protective procedures planned and baseline dose estimated near a one‑month ISS stay.