NASA is preparing to move its massive Space Launch System (SLS) rocket to the launch pad at Kennedy Space Center (KSC) tomorrow, January 17th, initiating a critical phase for the Artemis 2 mission. This mission aims to send four astronauts on a lunar flyby – the first crewed mission to the moon since 1972. The rollout, beginning around 7 a.m. EST, involves an eight to ten-hour crawl aboard the Crawler-Transporter 2 vehicle, covering the 4-mile distance to Launch Complex-39B.
A Delicate Timeline
The mission’s timeline is ambitious, with a planned “wet dress rehearsal” (fueling and countdown simulation) scheduled for February 2nd, and a potential launch window opening on February 6th. This means the rocket must perform flawlessly through a series of critical tests. However, given past challenges with the SLS during the Artemis 1 mission – including hydrogen leaks and infrastructure failures – success is far from guaranteed.
Why this matters: The Artemis program represents a significant investment in lunar exploration. The success of Artemis 2 is pivotal not only for human spaceflight but also for validating the SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft, laying the groundwork for future crewed landings. A delay could impact the program’s overall schedule and cost.
Balancing Multiple Missions
NASA is simultaneously preparing for SpaceX’s Crew-12 mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The expedited departure of Crew-11 left the ISS with a minimal crew, making the launch of Crew-12 on February 15th a high priority. NASA officials, however, maintain that coordinating both missions is not a rush, and safety remains the top concern.
“It’s not prudent for us to put both those [missions] up at the same time, but we also have to ensure that both of them are ready to go,” stated Jeff Radigan, NASA’s lead flight director for Artemis 2.
Crew and Trajectory
The Artemis 2 crew – Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch (NASA), and Jeremy Hansen (Canadian Space Agency) – will travel farther from Earth than any humans before, testing the Orion spacecraft’s life support systems during a ten-day lunar loop. Unlike the Apollo missions, Artemis 2 will not land on the moon. Instead, the crew will follow a “free-return trajectory,” using the moon’s gravity to slingshot them back to Earth.
The next step: Artemis 3, planned for 2027 or 2028, aims to perform the first crewed lunar landing of the Artemis program. The success of Artemis 2 is essential for ensuring the safety and reliability of the systems needed for this historic event.
Contingency Plans
If the February launch window is missed, NASA has backup opportunities in March and April. However, officials emphasize they will not proceed until all systems are verified.
“We’re going to do our job to be ready to go fly,” said John Honeycutt, Artemis 2 mission management team chair, “I’m not going to tell the agency that I’m ready to go fly until I think we’re ready to go fly.”
Ultimately, the readiness of Artemis 2 for launch will depend on the outcome of the wet dress rehearsal and subsequent checkouts at the pad. The agency is proceeding cautiously, prioritizing mission integrity over strict deadlines.
