Potential Artemis II liftoff date set as astronauts prepare for moon flyby

After repairs, NASA is eyeing a potential launch date for Artemis II, the first crewed mission to the moon in more than 50 years.

After a delay, NASA’s planned Artemis II mission to send four astronauts around the moon now has a targeted launch date of March 6 following a successful wet dress rehearsal.

Lori Glaze, deputy associate administrator for NASA’s Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate, cautioned that the date comes with caveats, noting there is still “significant work” to be completed at the launch pad at Kennedy Space Center.

“Every night I look up at the moon, I see it and I get real excited because I can feel she is calling us, and we’re ready,” Glaze said.

The launch was postponed about four weeks after the agency discovered an issue with Orion’s liquid hydrogen tank during a previous rehearsal. NASA said the tank leaked excessive liquid hydrogen into the rocket’s core stage. Liquid hydrogen is used as a propellant.

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