Artemis II at LC-39B on February 1, 2026 Photo: Charles Boyer
Teams at Kennedy Space Center conducted and mostly completed a critical Wet Dress Rehearsal for the launch of the Artemis II rocket and ground support teams yesterday. The test was not without problems: Hydrogen leaks at the tail mast area of the pad and an issue closing Orion’s hatches bedeviled the tests, resulting in NASA announcing that the launch of the Artemis II mission is now no earlier than March 6, 2026.
“The Artemis II wet dress rehearsal countdown was terminated at the T-5:15 minute mark due to a liquid hydrogen leak at the interface of the tail service mast umbilical, which had experienced high concentrations of liquid hydrogen earlier in the countdown, as well,” NASA said.
A view of the Tail Mast and the retractable Liquid Hydrogen feed lines for SLS. Photo: NASA
In a press conference today, Artemis II Launch Director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson said, “When we got into the LH2 fast fill—which was around 12:29—is when we picked up our first leak in the SMU, in the cavity, which is where the flight and the ground plate come together. It’s that cavity in between. It’s in our eight-inch fill and drain line there. We have a QD that connects those two together.”
Charlie Blackwell-Thompson in today’s NASA press conference. Via NASA livestream
“It was similar to some of the signatures we saw during Artemis I. Our leak rate was a little bit higher—somewhere around 12 to 14%,” Blackwell-Thompson continued. “We tried a contingency procedure that we used during Artemis I: you let that QD warm up, you let the seal warm up, and you try it again. We did that a couple of times, worked our way through it, and were able to load the core stage all the way to replenish.”
When asked what items were missed in the Wet Dress Rehearsal, Blackwell-Thompson said, “What we didn’t get to do: we wanted to get through terminal count. We wanted to get inside terminal count, hold, and verify our three-minute hold capability—tanks in launch-ready state and you can hold them for up to three minutes.”
“We also wanted to demonstrate a recycle: come down, have a planned cutoff, come back and retarget a new T-0 within the launch window. Didn’t get a chance to do that.”
What’s Next
Before the March window, NASA’s engineers and mission managers will review data, equipment and procedures from the WDR yesterday and they will conduct a second Wet Dress Rehearsal before committing to a launch date. Of key interest are the Tail Mast interfaces that deliver LH2 to the rocket’s propellant tanks.
“With the conclusion of the wet dress rehearsal today, we are moving off the February launch window and targeting March for the earliest possible launch of Artemis II,” NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said today. “With more than three years between SLS launches, we fully anticipated encountering challenges. That is precisely why we conduct a wet dress rehearsal. These tests are designed to surface issues before flight and set up launch day with the highest probability of success.”
Remaining Launch Windows
ARTEMIS II MISSION AVAILABILITY – SPRING 2026
(Subject to Adjustments)
March 2026
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
April 2026
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
Launch Window Available
Launch Window Opening
Window
Date
Local Time
UTC
Lighting
Mins
Mar 6
8:29 PM EST
Mar 7, 01:29
2.05 hrs after sunset
120
Mar 7
8:57 PM EST
Mar 8, 01:57
2.51 hrs after sunset
120
Mar 8
10:56 PM EDT
Mar 9, 02:56
3.48 hrs after sunset
120
Mar 9
11:52 PM EDT
Mar 10, 03:52
4.40 hrs after sunset
120
Mar 10
12:48 AM EDT
Mar 10, 04:48
5.36 hrs after sunset
115
Apr 1
6:24 PM EDT
Apr 1, 22:24
1.28 hrs before sunset
120
Apr 3
8:00 PM EDT
Apr 4, 00:00
0.30 hrs after sunset
120
Apr 4
8:53 PM EDT
Apr 5, 00:53
1.17 hrs after sunset
120
Apr 5
9:40 PM EDT
Apr 6, 01:40
1.95 hrs after sunset
120
Apr 6
10:36 PM EDT
Apr 7, 02:36
2.87 hrs after sunset
120
Apr 30
6:06 PM EDT
Apr 30, 22:06
1.86 hrs before sunset
120
↔ Scroll table on mobile
As of: February 3, 2026 at 8:32 AM EST
The Good and The Bad
A liquid hydrogen leak at the LC-39B’s Tail Mast umbilical connection to SLS’s core stage forced engineers into a troubleshooting effort that pushed the countdown about two hours behind schedule. The team cycled through several repair attempts, first halting LH2 flow, then letting the interface warm so seals could seat themselves properly, and finally by tweaking propellant flow rates before pressing ahead. Ultimately, they were successful in their efforts and got the 322-foot tall rocket fully fueled, but a great deal of time was lost during the effort.
NASA graphic from their livestream indicated that SLS was fully loaded with propellant by 5:45 PM ET
Secondly, a recently replaced valve tied to Orion’s crew hatch pressurization system needed to be retorqued, and closeout work ran longer than expected. NASA stated around 10 PM last night that, “The closeout crew remains in the White Room and has closed the Orion spacecraft’s crew module hatch. While performing seal pressurization checks on the counterbalance assembly, which could be used to help open the hatch, a valve associated with Orion’s hatch pressurization was inadvertently vented. The counterbalance assembly then needed to be repressurized to allow work to continue.”
Finally, communications issues from SLS to ground caused some issues and will need to be remediated prior to the next Wet Dress Rehearsal, much less any launch attempt in March.
Clearly, there’s some work to do before Artemis II will be ready to fly.
The Artemis II crew has been released from quarantine for the time being. Once a new potential launch date becomes clearer, they will return to quarantine and fly to Kennedy Space Center for final preparations prior to launch.
NASA has scheduled a 1 PM ET press conference to offer more details.
Artemis II stands tall in the chilly air on February 1st, 2026 Photo: Charles Boyer
The countdown for the Artemis II Wet Dress Rehearsal is underway at Kennedy Space Center. Yesterday at 8:13 PM ET, or L-48:40 hours, the simulated countdown began in preparation for a test launch window opening at 9 PM tomorrow, February 2nd.
Artemis II will not launch during this countdown, of course, as it is just a test countdown. The Artemis II crew will not be aboard during Orion the WDR.
Sometime around 1 AM ET Tuesday, or February 3rd, the WDR will conclude.
What Comes After The WDR
After the test cycle concludes, engineers and mission managers will review data gathered during the Wet Dress Rehearsal. This process may take a few days as each major system is reviewed. Since Artemis I, NASA has implemented changes to the liquid Hydrogen systems at LC-39B. That will be a particular area of concern, as H2 leaks bedeviled the Artemis I countdowns both in WDR and later on the night it launched.
After the Data Review, a Flight Readiness Review can be held, during which all aspects of the mission are reviewed: the SLS rocket, the Orion spacecraft, ground systems at the Cape, and the status of the recovery teams that would be first responders to a major anomaly, should one occur, and many others.
The FRR is last major review for the flight, and in it, the Artemis II management team will need to give the mission permission to proceed towards a launch. Only after that milestone is achieved will a launch date and time be announced by NASA.
Artemis II on the launch mount at LC-39B at Kennedy Space Center Photo: Charles Boyer
The Wet Dress Rehearsal In Detail
L-49 Hours, 15 Minutes and Counting
Time
Activity
L-49H 15M
Launch team arrives on stations; countdown begins
L-48H 40M
Countdown clock begins
L-48H 45M – L-39H 45M
LOX/LH2 system preparations for vehicle loading
L-47H 30M – L-38H 30M
Fill water tank for sound suppression system
L-40H 30M – L-39H
Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage (ICPS) powered up
L-39H 30M – L-38H 45M
Core stage powered up
L-38H 45M – L-34H 30M
Final preparations of four RS-25 engines
L-34 Hours, 30 Minutes and Counting
Time
Activity
L-33H 45M – L-33H 10M
ICPS powered down
L-32H 30M – L-28H 30M
Charge Orion flight batteries to 100%
L-30H 30M – L-23H 30M
Charge core stage flight batteries
L-19H 30M – L-16H
Orion crew suit regulator leak checks
L-19H 15M – L-17H 45M
ICPS powered up for launch
L-15 Hours and Counting
Time
Activity
L-14H 30M – L-13H
All non-essential personnel leave Launch Complex 39B
L-13H 15M – L-11H 05M
Air-to-GN2 changeover and vehicle cavity inerting
L-12H 45M – L-11H 15M
Ground Launch Sequencer (GLS) activation
L-11 Hours, 40 Minutes and Counting
Time
Activity
L-11H 35M – L-9H 20M
Built-in hold: 2 hours, 15 minutes
L-11H 40M – L-10H 30M
Weather and tanking briefing
L-10H 20M
Go/No-Go decision to begin tanking
L-10H 20M – L-9H
Orion cold soak
L-10H 10M – L-9H 50M
Core stage LOX transfer line chilldown
L-10H 10M – L-9H 25M
Core stage LH2 chilldown
L-10 Hours and Counting
Time
Activity
L-9H 50M – L-9H 10M
Core stage LOX main propulsion system chilldown
L-9H 25M – L-9H
Core stage LH2 slow fill start
L-9H 20M
Resume T-Clock from T-8H 10M
L-9H 10M – L-8H 55M
Core stage LOX slow fill
L-9H – L-7H 40M
Core stage LH2 fast fill
L-8H 55M – L-6H 10M
Core stage LOX fast fill
L-8H 45M – L-8H 10M
ICPS LH2 chilldown
L-8H 10M – L-7H 25M
ICPS LH2 fast fill start
L-7H 45M – L-6H
ICPS LOX main propulsion system chilldown
L-7H 40M – L-7H 30M
Core stage LH2 topping
L-7H 30M – terminal
Core stage LH2 replenish
L-7H 25M – L-7H 05M
ICPS LH2 vent and relief test
L-7H 05M – L-6H 55M
ICPS LH2 tank topping start
L-6H 50M – terminal
ICPS LH2 replenish
L-6H 10M – L-5H 40M
Orion communications system activated (RF to Mission Control)
Artist’s rendering of Starship on its launch mount at LC-39A at Kennedy Space Center
The 50,000 foot view
The Federal Aviation Administration released the Final Environmental Impact Statement and its Record of Decision regarding the matter this morning. The Record of Decision approves SpaceX to operate Starship-Super Heavy at Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center, clearing the final major regulatory hurdle for the company’s next-generation launch vehicle on Florida’s Space Coast.
Now, SpaceX needs to complete the build out its infrastructure at LC-39A, relocate Starship flight hardware from Boca Chica, Texas to KSC, and obtain the necessary FAA launch license(s) to launch the 408.1 feet (124.4 meter) tall rocket. It will be the most powerful rocket to ever launch from the Eastern Range, eclipsing the venerable Saturn V, New Glenn and even SLS Block I.
The decision authorizes up to 44 Starship-Super Heavy launches and 88 landings annually—44 each for the Super Heavy booster and Starship upper stage. Ocean landings on droneships in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans are also permitted.
The approval follows a 16-month environmental review process that began with a Notice of Intent published in May 2024, included multiple public comment periods, and culminated in the Final Environmental Impact Statement released today.
FAA Record of Decision: SpaceX Starship at LC-39A
Kennedy Space Center • Signed Jan 29, 2026
Category
Details
🚀 Approved Operations
Annual Limits
Approved 44 launches • 88 landings (44 Super Heavy + 44 Starship) • 88 static fires
Super Heavy: LC-39A catch or Atlantic Ocean droneship/expendable
Starship: LC-39A, Atlantic/Pacific/Indian Ocean droneship or water landing
Infrastructure
Approved ~800,000 sq ft improvements: launch mount, catch tower, propellant generation (methane liquefier, air separation unit), storage tanks, deluge ponds, water system (~518,000 L/launch)
⚠️ Significant Environmental Effects
Emissions
Significant NOx:385.66 tons/yr (54% over threshold, 4.35% of Brevard County) GHG:217,354 MT CO2e/yr (319% over threshold, 2.81% of county)
Noise
Significant
Sonic booms exceed 60 dB CDNL on 28,595 acres off-KSC • Up to 82% awakening probability at night • Outdoor levels exceed 97 dB max at locations outside KSC/CCSFS
Air Traffic
Significant
Avg delay: ~40 min (up to 2 hrs) • Ground stops at Core 30 FL airports • Coordination with Canada, Bahamas, Mexico, Central America, Cuba
🚧 Access Restrictions
Closures
Tests: ~396 hrs/yr (4.5%) • Launches/reentries: ~462 hrs/yr (5.3%) • Total: ~10% of year (half day/half night) NPS revenue impact: $239K–$423K/yr (13–24% loss to Canaveral National Seashore)
🐢 Wildlife Conditions (USFWS)
Training & Surveys
Required
All personnel: wildlife training before onsite work (species ID, sea turtle/scrub-jay/indigo snake/manatee protocols) • Pre-construction biological surveys required • Lighting Operations Manual for sea turtle season
Manatee
Required
Dedicated observer on vessels in Indian River Lagoon • 50 ft minimum distance • ≤10 knots where observed • No wake/idle near docks
📊 Required Monitoring
Species
Monitoring Scrub-jay: 70% banded in 1 yr, 90% in 3 yrs; census pre/post breeding Sea turtle: Mar 1–Oct 31; 8 light surveys/yr; all hawksbill/Kemp’s ridley/leatherback nests monitored Beach mouse: Habitat use, survival, reproduction, population density
Physical
Monitoring Noise: 3 events each for SH/Starship static fires, launches, landings (15 total) Vibration: Loggers at 0.3 mi, 15″ deep; min 3 launches
🐋 Marine Conditions (NMFS)
Distance & Vessel
Required
Activities ≥5 nm from coast (≥1 nm within 50 mi of LC-39A) • No coral reef landings • Dedicated observer on recovery ops • 300 ft from mammals, 150 ft from turtles • ≤10 kts near mother/calf
Right Whale
Required
1,500 ft minimum distance • Nov–Apr: SH and Starship cannot both land in critical habitat same flight • No landings in active Slow/Dynamic Mgmt Areas • Flight reports within 30 days until full reusability
🏛️ Historic Preservation (NHPA)
Structures
Monitoring
9 structures monitored through first 5 launches + 5 SH landings + 1 Starship landing: St. Gabriel’s Church, Pritchard House, Walker Apts (Titusville); Cocoa Jr High, Aladdin Theater (Cocoa); Cape Canaveral Lighthouse (CCSFS); John Sams House, St. Luke’s Church (Merritt Island); Beach House (KSC)
Programmatic Agreement executed Nov 22, 2025 with FL SHPO & Seminole Tribe
Starship tower under construction in 2022 Photo: Charles Boyer
Things are hopping over at Kennedy Space Center. The Artemis II crew is preparing for humanity’s first crewed mission around the Moon in over 50 years, and Crew-12 awaits its turn to rotate astronauts aboard the International Space Station. That’s keeping NASA and its contracting partners working hard and tightly focused on the missions.
At the same time, the Federal Aviation Administration is on the verge of completing its environmental review of SpaceX’s plan to launch Starship from Launch Complex 39A.
The FAA’s first estimated completion date for the Final Environmental Impact Statement is January 30, 2026 — today — according to the federal permitting dashboard. While it may not be released today, it does indicate that the document and the Record of Decision will be released soon.
What’s At Stake
SpaceX could receive regulatory clearance to operate the world’s most powerful rocket from the same complex where Apollo 11 and dozens of Space Shuttle missions got their starts.
None of those historic missions ever concluded at LC-39A, however, and that’s part of what SpaceX is planning to do fairly regularly at KSC: launching Starship Heavy and landing Starship missions there after their job in space has been completed. Their proposal kicked off the process whose middle act could conclude any day now.
Where We Are In The Process
SpaceX Starship LC-39A Approval Milestones
SpaceX Starship Approval Milestones: LC-39A at Kennedy Space Center
FAA Environmental Impact Statement & Launch License Process
Milestone
Date
Status
Details
Notice of Intent Published FAA
May 10, 2024
Complete
FAA initiated the EIS process via Federal Register publication
Public Scoping Period FAA
May–June 2024
Complete
Public input gathered on scope of environmental review; ended June 24, 2024
Draft EIS Released FAA
August 4, 2025
Complete
Draft EIS published for up to 44 Starship launches and 44 landings per year
Draft EIS Public Comment Period FAA
Aug 4–Sept 29, 2025
Complete
Public hearings held at KSC (Aug 26), Cape Canaveral (Aug 28), and virtually (Sept 3)
Final EIS Publication FAA
Q1 2026 (expected)
Pending
FAA will address all public comments and issue the Final EIS
Record of Decision (ROD) FAA
~Jan 30, 2026 (est.)
Pending
FAA issues ROD with decision, mitigations, and monitoring requirements
Per permits.performance.gov estimated completion date
Vehicle Operator License Issuance FAA
After ROD
Upcoming
New or modified commercial launch license for Starship-Super Heavy operations at LC-39A
Infrastructure Completion SpaceX
Mid-2026 (projected)
Upcoming
Launch mount (installed Nov 2025), tank farm, deluge system, chopstick upgrades, service structure outfitting
First Starship Launch from LC-39A SpaceX
2026 (targeted)
Upcoming
Initial vehicles will be transported from Starbase, Texas via barge
Lead Agency: FAA |
Cooperating Agencies: NASA, Dept. of the Air Force, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, National Park Service Source: FAA Stakeholder Engagement Portal, Federal Register, permits.performance.gov |
Updated: January 2026
The FAA Isn’t NASA Though…
At Kennedy Space Center, NASA and the FAA have distinct roles. NASA manages the spaceport and leases LC-39A to SpaceX. On the other hand, the FAA has authority over commercial launch licensing, and, as the responsible agency, it must complete an independent environmental review before SpaceX can launch or land Starship from the site.
“While the 2019 Environmental Assessment prepared by NASA provides an analytical baseline, the environmental impacts of these proposed changes to Starship-Super Heavy LC-39A development and operations will be specifically analyzed in this EIS,” the FAA noted in its project documentation.
The scope has changed dramatically since that 2019 assessment. SpaceX now proposes up to 44 Starship launches per year — nearly double the original 24 — along with booster catches at the pad using the company’s signature “chopstick” tower arms, a capability that didn’t exist when NASA issued its original Finding of No Significant Impact.
The FAA released its Draft EIS on August 4, 2025, triggering a public comment period that closed on September 29. The agency held public hearings at Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral, and online, collecting feedback that must be addressed in the Final EIS before a Record of Decision can be issued.
Now the Final Environmental Impact Statement is on deck, and that could come out any day.
Meanwhile, Back At The Rocket Ranch…
SpaceX hasn’t sat on its hands waiting for regulatory approval. The company has transformed LC-39A over the past year, pivoting from a Starship tower not being worked on to an active construction site steadily advancing toward operational status.
The most visible progress came in November 2025, when SpaceX transported a new orbital launch mount from its Roberts Road manufacturing facility to the pad. The original mount design was scrapped earlier in 2025 in favor of hardware matching the company’s latest configuration at Starbase in Texas.
Other work continues as well — construction of a tank farm to store propellants, outfitting the service structure and more. Clearly, SpaceX expects good news in the EIS and ROD, and given that Starship is an integral part of Project Artemis, it’s fair to say that those two legal hurdles are effectively fait accompli, and that when they are released, they will be positive for this ongoing project.
Artemis II NASA astronauts (left to right) Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen stand in the white room on the crew access arm of the mobile launcher at Launch Pad 39B as part of an integrated ground systems test at Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023. The test ensures the ground systems team is ready to support the crew timeline on launch day. Credit: NASA/Frank Michaux
The four astronauts assigned to NASA’s first lunar voyage in more than half a century entered medical isolation on Friday as Kennedy Space Center teams push toward a potential early February launch window.
NASA’s Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, joined by Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen, have begun what the agency calls a “health stabilization program”—a precautionary period designed to shield the crew from illness that could scrub their mission. The protocol typically spans 14 days before liftoff, though NASA has yet to announce an official launch date while rocket and spacecraft testing continues.
Preparations Continue At KSC
At Kennedy Space Center, preparations are accelerating around the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft at Launch Pad 39B. Ground crews have wrapped up checkouts of mechanical power systems, cryogenic propellant lines, and the rocket’s RS-25 engines.
Beginning Saturday, January 24th, the perimeter around LC-39B will be cleared of non-essential personnel as technicians begin servicing the twin solid rocket boosters as part of the final preparations for SLS and its first crewed flight.
Astros To Come To KSC Late Next Week If All Continues Going Well.
The astronauts are currently quarantining in Houston but will relocate to Kennedy Space Center approximately six days before launch if testing milestones continue on schedule. Upon arrival, they’ll take up residence in the astronaut crew quarters housed within the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building—the same facility that has hosted crews since the Space Shuttle era.
During isolation, the crew will complete mission simulations and medical evaluations while maintaining limited contact with pre-screened family members and colleagues in order to prevent exposure to any illnesses that might prevent them from launching.
Artemis II Milestones – Talk of Titusville
Artemis II Pre-Launch Milestones
Launch window opens Feb. 6, 2026
Milestone
Target Date
Status
Details
Launch Pad Integration
Late Jan. 2026
In Progress
Connect GSE, electrical lines, fuel ducts, and cryo feeds; power up integrated systems
Crew Final Walkdown
Late Jan. 2026
Upcoming
Wiseman, Glover, Koch, and Hansen conduct final pad inspection
Wet Dress Rehearsal
NET Feb. 2, 2026
Upcoming
Load 700,000+ gallons of cryogenic propellants; full countdown practice; detanking ops
Flight Readiness Review
Early Feb. 2026
Upcoming
Mission management assesses all systems and commits to official launch date
Launch
NET Feb. 6, 2026
Launch Window
16 launch opportunities through April 30, 2026; first window 9:41 PM EST (02:41 UTC)
The Artemis II mission will mark humanity’s return to lunar exploration with a crewed spacecraft for the first time since Apollo 17 in December 1972. NASA’s Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft will carry astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen on an approximately 10-day journey around the Moon and back to Earth.
The launch is currently slated for April 1st and 6:47pm EDT, with a two hour window on that day. If weather or technical reasons necessitate postponement on April 1, April 2 is available.
Launch will occur from Launch Complex 39B at Kennedy Space Center—the same historic pad complex that sent Apollo astronauts to the Moon aboard Apollo 10. After that, LC-39B was reconfigured for the Space Shuttle program, serving as the launch site for 53 missions. At the end of the Shuttle era, the pad was designated for Project Artemis.
Artemis II does not have a launch date on February 6, 2026
In fact, Artemis II does not have a specific launch date at all—not yet—and it will be next month before one can be named. NASA has dates circled for when it could launch the big orange moon rocket, abd February 6th is the first one, but the agency has yet to set a specific L-0 day and time.
So WHEN Will Artemis II Launch?
NASA itself says. “While the Artemis II launch window opens as early as Friday, Feb. 6,” the agency said on January 21, ” the mission management team will assess flight readiness after the wet dress rehearsal across the spacecraft, launch infrastructure, and the crew and operations teams before selecting a launch date.”
As NASA states, they cannot name a launch date until a successful Wet Dress Rehearsal is completed. When is the Wet Dress Rehearsal? It starts no earlier than February 2nd. And after the WDR, there is another critical milestone to pass: a Flight Readiness Review where NASA and its contractors will assess the mission readiness of the rocket, the crew, and the facility. That’s not a minor tick-the-boxes meeting; it’s in-depth and quite thorough.
Artemis II Milestones – Talk of Titusville
Artemis II Pre-Launch Milestones
Launch window opens Feb. 6, 2026
Milestone
Target Date
Status
Details
Launch Pad Integration
Late Jan. 2026
In Progress
Connect GSE, electrical lines, fuel ducts, and cryo feeds; power up integrated systems
Crew Final Walkdown
Late Jan. 2026
Upcoming
Wiseman, Glover, Koch, and Hansen conduct final pad inspection
Wet Dress Rehearsal
NET Feb. 2, 2026
Upcoming
Load 700,000+ gallons of cryogenic propellants; full countdown practice; detanking ops
Flight Readiness Review
Early Feb. 2026
Upcoming
Mission management assesses all systems and commits to official launch date
Launch
NET Feb. 6, 2026
Launch Window
16 launch opportunities through April 30, 2026; first window 9:41 PM EST (02:41 UTC)
The Wet Dress Rehearsal is critical because it is a full-scale practice run of the launch of Artemis II, including loading thousands of gallons of liquid propellants (liquid hydrogen and oxygen) into the rocket’s tanks, running through the entire countdown procedure to test all of the systems aboard the 322-foot-tall vehicle, test some scrub scenarios, and then safely draining the fuel, all without actually launching.
These four people – the Artemis II astronauts – are relying on the final phases of preparation and testing to be thoroughly and positively completed before they depart for the Moon. Photo: NASA
The WDR was a problem for Artemis I, mainly because it was the first time new infrastructure at Pad LC-39B had been used, and that on a brand new rocket. Small leaks and other issues created delays and repairs, and as a result, the launch was pushed right on the calendar several times. Eventually, in November 2022, all of the hard work came together and Artemis I lifted off into a brisk Space Coast sky to the delight of all who saw it.
Hopefully these problems won’t repeat themselves with Artemis II. NASA and its contractors learned a lot of lessons with Artemis I and have undoubtedly made changes and improvements to the pad infrastructure and the rocket itself since 2022, when Artemis I flew.
Still, some problems may arise. Some of those problems may necessitate a return to the VAB for repairs. NASA is trying to make that clear. That’s no certainty, and everyone is hoping for a smooth Wet Dress Rehearsal, but keep in mind that it’s not something to take for granted.
While I made it clear that Artemis II is “Awaiting Confirmation,” many people will see the “Window Opens: Friday 02/06/2026 09:41:00 PM” and think the date and time is set in stone. It is not. Not yet.
My personal site is not alone. Perhaps the biggest of scheduling sites, Spacelaunchschedule.com, says the same thing:
All of those sites (mine included) rely on external data feeds for up-to-date launch times. Those feeds often prognosticate based on the best information they have: FAA and USCG filings, NASA or Space Force statements, launch vendor information, and so forth. They try to make it clear when a flight is unconfirmed, meaning “not official,” but sometimes people miss that.
Data providers usually get things right, but keep in mind that they are unofficial sources and may be wrong. Things change fast when it comes to launch plans, and sometimes unofficial sites take a while to catch up to changes. Still, at the end of the day, Spacelaunchschedule.com and Nextspaceflight.com are truly handy tools that give great information. I use both extensively, especially out in the field.
Stay Tuned To NASA
When an official launch date and target time is announced, it will be no mystery. NASA will make it available to the public, and that in turn will set things in motion for America to send four astronauts around the moon.
They have already named the potential windows between now and April, and people can use that for their planning, such as it is.
If you want to book flights and hotels, make sure you can change those reservations for a later time. If you do come to Florida to watch the launch, plan to stay through all of the days in the windows charted above, because scrubs are part and parcel of rocket launches. For example, if indeed NASA chooses February 6, plan to stay through February 11th. If the launch is planned for March 6th, plan to stay through the 11th.
Always remember that millions of things must be right and ready to send any rocket on its way, and only one thing has to be wrong to cause a scrub. And then there is the weather. It’s Florida and the weather changes about as fast as you can change the channels on your TV remote.
So all in all, be patient. Artemis II will launch when it is ready to fly. Not before. What day that is, we can’t say for sure yet. Keep you plans flexible and stay tuned.
One of the goals of SLS was to reuse remaining hardware from NASA’s Shuttle program where possible. This was intended to be a cost-saving measure, but given the high price of a single SLS stack costs more than two billion dollars: The SLS rocket for Artemis II (and each Artemis mission) costs approximately $4.1 billion per launch per the NASA OIG, with about half of that being tied up in the rocket and capsule. That’s a lot of money.
Still, there a lot of previously flown pieces of hardware on America’s newest moon rocket.
The Artemis II mission will mark humanity’s return to lunar exploration with a crewed spacecraft for the first time since Apollo 17 in December 1972. NASA’s Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft will carry astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen on an approximately 10-day journey around the Moon and back to Earth.
The launch window opens on February 6, 2026, with additional opportunities on February 7th, 8th, 10th, and 11th. Launch will occur from Launch Complex 39B at Kennedy Space Center—the same historic pad complex that sent Apollo astronauts to the Moon aboard Apollo 10. After that, LC-39B was reconfigured for the Space Shuttle program, serving as the launch site for 53 missions.
The rocket is at the pad, and the launch windows are as follows:
To date (January 20th) no official launch date or time has been released by NASA. Pad integration is continuing, followed by a Wet Dress Rehearsal (currently no later than February 2) and, finally, a Flight Readiness Review to evaluate the status of all aspects of the mission. If successful, permission to proceed will be granted, and a launch date and time will be officially set.
Keep that word in mind — official — because it trumps all other information.
So, while you still have some time, here’s some information about coming to town and viewing the launch:
Understanding the Launch Location
Most visitors to the Space Coast do not realize that there are actually two space launch centers in Florida: Kennedy Space Center (KSC), operated by NASA, and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS), a US Space Force base. They adjoin one another and form a contiguous area, but each has its own management and security.
Launch Complex 39B is located at Kennedy Space Center, on the northern end of the Cape. This is important for selecting your viewing location—LC-39B is significantly farther north than SpaceX’s SLC-40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, which means the optimal viewing spots are different.
One of the most accurate maps there is of Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. via: NASA
For Artemis II, the Titusville area offers some of the best public viewing, as it sits almost directly across the Indian River from LC-39B. Port Canaveral and Cocoa Beach, while still offering views, are considerably farther away.
Proximity to the launch pad is important for seeing ignition and liftoff, but it matters less and less as the rocket climbs into the sky. That’s because it will be rising rapidly, affording everyone an opportunity to see it well. That being said, if you can’t get viewing tickets at the Saturn V Center, don’t fret too much — you’re going to get a great look anywhere in the Space Coast region so long as the skies are clear at launch time.
Best Public Viewing Spots for Artemis II
In a nutshell, here are some good spots to consider:
⚠️ Potential obstruction 💵 Fee, paid parking, or ticket required
Note: Distances are approximate straight-line measures to LC-39B. Access, hours, fees, and closures may change—verify before launch day.
Looking Closer at the Options
Banana Creek Viewing Area (Apollo-Saturn V Center) – ~3.75 miles
UPDATE: Tickets went on sale for KSCVC options on January 23, and sold out in 30 minutes. Check their site, but it may be too late for this option.
This is the viewing location for Artemis II. Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex offers ticketed viewing at the Apollo-Saturn V Center, which sits almost directly across the Banana Creek from LC-39B. This is as close as the general public can get to a launch from LC-39B.
The experience includes bleacher seating, live commentary from NASA, and the unparalleled backdrop of the actual Saturn V rocket displayed inside the center. For a once-in-a-generation mission like Artemis II, this is worth the investment. If you have kids or grandkids who want to go, there are few events that are more exciting than this.
Pricing: Expect premium pricing for Artemis II—this is a historic mission. Tickets are in addition to standard KSCVC admission and parking. Prices for other premium launches have been as high as $250 per person, and it is reasonable to expect KSCVC to have similar price tags on Artemis II ducats.
Important: Read the KSCVC Scrub Policy carefully before purchasing. If the launch scrubs after you’ve used transportation to the viewing site, your ticket may be considered “used.” Contact the Visitor Complex directly with questions, they are the only ones that can give official information about their policies.
Max Brewer Bridge & Parrish Park (Titusville) – ~10.75 miles
For free public viewing, the Max Brewer Bridge area is arguably the best spot for an LC-39B launch. The elevated bridge provides clear sightlines across the Indian River directly toward the launch pad. Parrish Park at the base of the bridge offers parking and waterfront access.
Arrive extremely early. For a mission of this magnitude, expect the bridge and surrounding areas to fill up many hours—potentially the night before for a daytime launch. The February launch windows are evening opportunities and that may attract even larger crowds. Parking will be in high demand, and the early birds get the best spots.
Stay tuned for news about closures and plans that the city may have for Max Brewer.
Space View Park (Titusville) – ~11.1 miles
Space View Park is one of the most famous public viewing locations on the Space Coast, featuring the Space Walk of Fame and often hosting live NASA audio feeds during launches.
The park sits on the Indian River, with direct views of Kennedy Space Center. It’s across the Max Brewer Bridge from the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge entrance to Kennedy Space Center and is one of the closest off-base sites you can view the launch from.
For Artemis II, expect this park to be packed. Arrive as early as possible. The park has restrooms and is walking distance from downtown Titusville restaurants and shops.
Rotary Riverfront Park (Titusville) – ~11.5 miles
A popular local alternative to the more crowded Space View Park, Rotary Riverfront Park offers similar views with typically easier parking. It’s a good choice for families or those who want a slightly less hectic experience, but it too will be crowded for Artemis II.
Kennedy Point Park (Titusville) – ~ 11.75 miles
Located next to a marina, Kennedy Point Park offers a long stretch of riverfront with ample space for tripods and photography equipment. It’s less well-known than Space View Park, making it a good option for those seeking a bit more elbow room.
William J. Manzo Memorial Park – ~12 miles
A hidden gem, this small riverfront park offers unexpectedly great views across the Indian River. Small is the operative word, so it will be a good idea to settle in early here if that’s your plan.
Space Bar (Titusville) – ~12.1 miles
If you want to combine launch viewing with food and drinks, Space Bar’s rooftop offers excellent views toward LC-39B. Check their website for more information as the launch approaches , and expect it to be crowded for Artemis II.
Reservations, if available, would be very wise.
KARS Park – ~14.5 miles
UPDATE: KARS Park announced on February 2nd that they will not be open to the general public for launch viewing of Artemis II.
KARS Park is located on Kennedy Space Center property and offers good views across the water toward LC-39B, even if you are looking along the shoreline a long way. KARS is a great place to see the rocket after it lifts off as it is on the banks of the Banana River with a clear view over Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
Entry requires a fee, and you must verify the park’s status before launch day—access to KSC property can be restricted for major launches. Unauthorized entry is trespassing on federal property.
KARS will be crowded, but it will be out ahead of the crowd after the launch.
The Port Canaveral viewing spots—including SR-528 pull-offs and Jetty Park—are farther from LC-39B than from the Cape Canaveral launch pads. You’ll still see the launch clearly, but the experience will be much less dramatic than viewing from Titusville.
Jetty Park remains a good family-friendly option with beach access, a pier, and amenities. Just be aware that cruise ships or port infrastructure can occasionally obstruct views. That’s not as likely for a night launch in February as it might be for day launches in later windows.
Cocoa Beach – ~20+ miles
Alan Shepard Park and Cocoa Beach Pier offer views of the launch, but at 20 miles distance, the rocket will appear smaller. These locations are better suited for casual viewing than for diehard space fans who want to be in the middle of the action.
Tips for Artemis II Viewing
Arrive early—very early. This is the first crewed Moon mission in over 50 years. Public interest will be enormous. For popular locations like Space View Park and Max Brewer Bridge, consider arriving the night before for a morning launch, or at least 4-6 hours early.
Check the launch time. The February 2026 window includes several potential dates. NASA will confirm the actual launch date after the wet dress rehearsal (scheduled for no later than February 2). Monitor NASA’s Artemis blog for updates.
Sound travels slowly, about 5 miles per second. At 7 miles, expect the sound to reach you about 35 seconds after liftoff. At 15 umiles, it’s over a minute. Be patient—the rumble is worth the wait.
Have a well-charged smartphone to keep up with the status of the launch. Social media sites from official sources can be invaluable, as are livestreams on Youtube. NASA, Spaceflight Now and NASA Spaceflight are three of the best. NASA’s stream is, of course, the official one.
Bring essentials: Chairs, sunscreen (even in February), water, snacks, and binoculars. A camera with a telephoto lens will help capture the rocket as it climbs*. You won’t need the chairs if you have tickets to view at Kennedy Space Center, nor will you need water and snacks because they will be nearby.
SLS is loud. The Space Launch System generates 8.8 million pounds of thrust at liftoff—more than the venerable Saturn V. Even from Titusville, you’re going to feel its low frequency rumbles deep in your chest. Some say it is ground-shaking, but that’s apocryphal except for viewers at the Saturn V Center.
Car Alarms Get Set Off By Launches. Don’t be surprised if it’s yours.
Plan for a lot of traffic leaving: build in time to get out of the viewing areas after the launch. Traffic will be bad everywhere. It’s simply a part of the viewing experience.
* I recommend NOT trying to photograph the launch, as watching it is a visceral experience not to be missed. Buy one of the prints that will be for sale later.
What You’ll Witness
Artemis II will send four astronauts farther from Earth than any humans have ever traveled. Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen will loop around the Moon before returning to Earth at approximately 25,000 mph—the fastest any humans have ever reentered Earth’s atmosphere.
Victor Glover will become the first person of color to travel to the Moon. Christina Koch will become the first woman. Jeremy Hansen will become the first non-American. All of them might end up as the farthest-traveling crew to date.
Artemis II crew. Photo: NASA
Standing on the shores of the Indian River or the sands of Cocoa Beach, you’ll watch the 322-foot-tall rocket rise on twin pillars of flame from the launch pad. LC-39B has been used in the past for Saturn V Apollo missions as well as Space Shuttle missions.
The ground won’t shake from 7 miles away—that’s a myth—but the deep rumble of those solid rocket boosters rolling across the water is something you’ll remember for the rest of your life.
Artemis II on January 17, 2026 as it exits the VAB at KSC. Photo: Charles Boyer
You must be logged in to post a comment.