NASA targets March 6 to launch astronauts on a long-awaited mission around the moon

NASA is eyeing March 6 to launch four astronauts on the Artemis II mission around the moon, officials announced after completing a fueling test and launch-day walkthrough.

NASA is eyeing March 6 to launch four astronauts on a highly anticipated flight around the moon, agency officials announced Friday.

The date was set after NASA completed an elaborate fueling test and launch-day walkthrough Thursday, filling its Space Launch System rocket with more than 700,000 gallons of cryogenic propellant and simulating nearly every step of the countdown to liftoff.

The successful dress rehearsal means astronauts could be two weeks away from venturing to the moon for the first time in more than 50 years.

The mission, called Artemis II, will be the first time that NASA’s Space Launch System rocket and Orion capsule carry people. During their 10-day trip, the four astronauts are expected to reach a greater distance from Earth than any humans have gone before.

Thursday’s hourslong fueling test was a huge step for NASA. It was the second attempt at what’s known as a wet dress rehearsal; the first one, on Feb. 2, was cut short after the agency discovered hydrogen fuel leaking from part of the tail end of the rocket. The leaks forced mission managers to forgo all launch opportunities this month.