This morning, NASA officially announced a no earlier than March 6th target launch date for Artemis II. That date is contingent on completion of some work at the launch pad, and a positive result from the upcoming Launch Readiness Review, which is scheduled for late next week.
Maybe Elton John was right when he sang in his hit “Rocket Man” that “Mars ain’t the kind of place to raise your kid.” As humanity moves closer and closer to astronauts and colonists living off of the Earth, pregnancy and childbirth are inevitable. A new study looks at the subject and it raises some interesting risks as well as a call for more research.
Published February 3 in Reproductive BioMedicine Online, a new review, “Reproductive biomedicine in space: implications for gametogenesis, fertility and ethical considerations in the era of commercial spaceflight,” brings together nine international experts in reproductive health, aerospace medicine, and bioethics to consider the issue.
Their central finding is stark: despite more than 65 years of human spaceflight, remarkably little is known about how the space environment affects the reproductive systems of men and women during long-duration missions.
“More than 50 years ago, two scientific breakthroughs reshaped what was thought biologically and physically possible — the first Moon landing and the first proof of human fertilisation in vitro,” said lead author Giles Palmer, a clinical embryologist at the International IVF Initiative. “Now we argue that these once-separate revolutions are colliding in a practical and underexplored reality.”
The review identifies a triad of hazards. Cosmic radiation is the most well-characterized: beyond Earth’s protective magnetosphere, astronauts are exposed to galactic cosmic rays and high-energy charged particles that current shielding cannot fully block.
Doses exceeding approximately 250 milliSieverts can disrupt sperm production, and chronic exposure may impair the hormonal signaling that governs testosterone and sperm quality. (The average dose on ISS is 13 to 27 millisieverts (mSv) per month.) For women, animal studies link radiation to menstrual disruption and elevated cancer risk, though reliable human data from long missions remains scarce.
Microgravity introduces a separate set of problems. Weightlessness removes a fundamental mechanical cue that influences hormonal regulation, gamete development, and early embryonic growth. Animal studies have shown decreased sperm motility, increased DNA fragmentation, and disrupted development under microgravity conditions. Notably, a complete mammalian reproductive cycle — from egg and sperm development through birth — has never been achieved in space.
Circadian disruption rounds out the triad. Astronauts on the ISS experience roughly 16 sunrises every 24 hours. On Earth, similar disruptions in shift workers are linked to menstrual irregularities, reduced fertility, and poor pregnancy outcomes. The molecular clock genes active in reproductive tissues are known to impair ovulation when thrown out of sync.
Data from the Space Shuttle era offers some reassurance: female astronauts’ subsequent pregnancy rates were comparable to age-matched women on Earth. But those missions were far shorter than what’s now planned for lunar and Mars exploration, and male reproductive outcomes in space remain poorly documented. Clearly, more study is needed.
The review raises ethical questions that reach beyond medical risk. If a child were conceived and born under lunar or Martian gravity, their skeletal and muscular development would differ fundamentally from Earth-born humans. Such an individual might be physically unable to live under terrestrial gravity — a scenario the authors frame as one of the most profound considerations of the coming era.
“As human presence in space expands, reproductive health can no longer remain a policy blind spot,” said senior author Dr. Fathi Karouia, a research scientist at NASA. He called for international collaboration to close knowledge gaps before commercial and long-duration missions make these questions unavoidable.
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.
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.
| 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) |
| L-6H 10M – L-5H 40M | Core stage LOX topping |
| L-6 Hours and Counting | |
|---|---|
| Time | Activity |
| L-6H – L-5H 15M | ICPS LOX fast fill |
| L-5H 40M – terminal | Core stage LOX replenish |
| L-5H 40M | Stage pad rescue; closeout crew assemble |
| L-5H 15M – L-5H | ICPS LOX vent and relief test |
| L-5H – L-4H 40M | ICPS LOX topping |
| L-4H 40M – terminal | ICPS LOX replenish; all stages replenish |
| L-4H 40M | Built-in hold: 40 minutes |
| L-4H 40M – L-4H 25M | Closeout crew to white room |
| L-4H 30M – L-4H 20M | Crew Module hatch preps and closure |
| L-4H 20M – L-3H 20M | Counterbalance mechanism hatch seal/press decay checks |
| L-3H 20M – L-2H 40M | Crew Module hatch service panel install/closeouts |
| L-2H 40M – L-2H 20M | Launch Abort System (LAS) hatch closure for flight |
| L-1H 45M – L-1H 40M | Closeout crew departs Launch Complex 39B |
| L-1H 10M | Launch Director brief – Flight vehicle/TPS scan results with CICE |
| L-40 Minutes and Holding | |
|---|---|
| Time | Activity |
| L-40M | Built-in hold: 30 minutes |
| L-25 Minutes and Holding | |
|---|---|
| Time | Activity |
| L-25M | Transition team to Orion-to-Earth comm loop following final NTD briefing |
| L-16M | Launch Director polls team for “Go” for launch |
| T-10 Minutes – Terminal Count | |
|---|---|
| Time | Activity |
| T-10M | Ground Launch Sequencer (GLS) initiates terminal count |
| T-8M | Crew Access Arm retract |
| T-6M | GLS go for core stage tank pressurization; Orion set to internal power |
| T-5M 57S | Core stage LH2 terminate replenish |
| T-4M | GLS go for core stage APU start; APU starts; Core stage LOX terminate replenish |
| T-3M 30S | ICPS LOX terminate replenish |
| T-3M 10S | GLS go for purge sequence 4 |
| T-2M 02S | ICPS switches to internal battery power |
| T-2M | Booster switches to internal battery power |
| T-1M 30S | Core stage switches to internal power; hold for 3-minute certification hold time verification |
| T-1M 20S | ICPS enters terminal countdown mode |
| T-50S | ICPS LH2 terminate replenish |
| T-33S | GLS sends “Go for Automated Launch Sequencer” command; GLS Cutoff/Recycle |
Source: Countdown Begins for Artemis II Wet Dress Rehearsal, NASA, January 31, 2026.
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.
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.
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.
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) |
As of Jan. 24, 2026, 12:00 PM EST
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.
Last update: February 2, 2026
See also:
Traveler’s Guide To The Artemis II Launch
Artemis II Viewing Map (Desktop Version)
How To Take A Launch Streak Shot
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:
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.
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.
In a nutshell, here are some good spots to consider:
| Area | Spot | Distance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| KSC (Ticketed) | Banana Creek / Apollo-Saturn V Center | ~3.9 mi | Premier viewing for LC-39 launches. Ticketed via KSCVC. Info |
| Titusville | Max Brewer Bridge & Parrish Park | ~11.1 mi | Elevated bridge vantage. Excellent for LC-39 launches. Fills very quickly. |
| Titusville | Space View Park | ~11.6 mi | Iconic riverfront viewing. Live audio feeds. Very popular—arrive early. |
| Titusville | Rotary Riverfront Park | ~11.8 mi | Open river views; good parking. Less crowded alternative. |
| Titusville | Kennedy Point Park | ~12.0 mi | Long riverfront; good tripod space. Near marina. |
| Titusville | Space Bar (Rooftop) | ~11.5 mi | Rooftop view with food/drinks. Check hours. |
| Port Canaveral | SR-528 Bennett Causeway pull-offs | ~14.5 mi | Open causeway views. Farther but still viable. |
| Port Canaveral | Jetty Park | ~14.6 mi | Beach and pier access. Good for families. Fees |
| Cape Canaveral | Cherie Down Park | ~15.2 mi | Beach access. Dunes may block first seconds. |
| Cocoa Beach | Alan Shepard Park | ~17.4 mi | Beachfront. Named for America’s first astronaut. |
| Cocoa Beach | Cocoa Beach Pier | ~16.8 mi | Horizon view over ocean. Tourist crowds. |
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Check KARS Park on Facebook for the latest access information.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
SLS began its slow and deliberate journey to Launch Pad 39B from the Vehical Assembly Building (VAB) early Saturday morning at Kennedy Space Center, marking a major milestone in the agency’s quest to return astronauts to the Moon for the first time in more than half a century.
The 322-foot-tall rocket emerged from the cavernous Vehicle Assembly Building at 7:04 a.m. EST, carried atop Crawler-Transporter 2 for the four-mile trek to the historic launch complex. The combined stack — rocket, Orion capsule, and mobile launcher — weighs approximately 11 million pounds and is traveling at a top speed of just under one mile per hour, with the journey expected to take between eight and twelve hours. At the time of this writing, that journey is still underway and should conclude late this afternoon or early this evening.
Hundreds of space center workers, family members, and guests gathered along the crawlerway to witness the spectacle as the towering white rocket inched past against a clear Florida sky. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman and the four Artemis II astronauts were on hand to mark the occasion.
“Wow. LETS GO!!!” Commander Reid Wiseman posted on X alongside a photo of the rocket moving out of the VAB. In a subsequent post, he called the SLS and Orion “engineering art.”
Once the rocket reaches Launch Pad 39B, teams will immediately begin connecting ground support equipment, including electrical lines, environmental control system ducts, and cryogenic propellant feeds. Engineers will then power up the integrated systems for the first time to verify everything functions properly with the mobile launcher and pad infrastructure.
A wet dress rehearsal is scheduled for late January or early February. During this critical test, ground crews will load more than 700,000 gallons of cryogenic liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen into the rocket’s tanks and conduct multiple countdown sequences, including several holds and recycles in the final minutes to validate launch procedures.
Artemis Launch Director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson said a February launch remains possible but emphasized that the timeline depends on the outcome of upcoming testing. “We need to get through wet dress,” she said during a pre-rollout briefing yesterday.
NASA’s launch window opens February 6, with additional opportunities on February 7, 8, 10, and 11. Due to the orbital mechanics governing the mission’s trajectory to the Moon, only about one week of launch opportunities exists each month, followed by roughly three weeks without viable windows.
NASA’s moon rocket is finally hitting the road.
The agency announced that the fully stacked Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft will begin their four-mile trek from the Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Complex 39B no earlier than Saturday, January 17, with first motion expected around 7 a.m. ET. The journey aboard Crawler-Transporter 2 will take up to 12 hours.
| Distance | Approximately 4 miles (6.4 km) |
|---|---|
| Speed | 0.82–1 mph (1.3–1.6 km/h) loaded |
| Total Time | 10–12 hours, depending on conditions and stops |
| Method | Crawler-Transporter 2 (CT-2), a 6.6-million-pound vehicle |
| Purpose | Transport the fully assembled rocket from the VAB to Launch Pad 39B for wet dress rehearsal and final launch preparations |
Teams have been working around the clock to close out remaining tasks ahead of rollout, though the date could shift if additional time is needed for technical preparations or weather.
The rollout marks the beginning of final integration and testing for what will be the first crewed mission beyond Earth orbit in more than 50 years. Once at the pad, NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, along with Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen, will conduct a final walkdown before launch preparations continue.
A wet dress rehearsal is planned for late January, during which teams will load more than 700,000 gallons of cryogenic propellants and run through countdown procedures. The earliest launch window opens February 6, with additional opportunities on February 7, 8, 10, and 11.
While Intuitive Machines soft-landing on the moon yesterday was successful, and the first by an American spacecraft in over fifty years, the news today is not all good: the company thinks that Odysseus, the company’s lunar lander is highly tilted or perhaps on its side.
In a NASA-hosted press conference late this afternoon, Intuitive Machines CEO and co-founder, Steve Altemus said that “We think we came down about 6 miles an hour [downwards towards the surface] and about 2 miles an hour [sideways] and caught a foot in the surface. And the lander has tipped [horizontally.] We believe this is the orientation of the lander on the moon.”
As he spoke, Altemus also showed a model of the lander in the orientation he believes that it is in:
As to yesterday’s statement that Odysseus had landed in an upright condition, Altemus said “We thought we were upright. The reason was that the tanks were reading, [in] the X direction. And the tanks were reading, gravity on the moon, that the fill levels, [that] there were still residuals in the tank.”
He went on further to say yesterday’s announcement from IM that Odysseus was upright was incorrect after new data arrived and further review. “That was stale telemetry,” Altemus said. “When we worked through the night to get other telemetry [data] down, we noticed that in the Z-direction is where we’re seeing residual tank quantities. And so that’s what tells us, with fairly certain terms, the orientation of the vehicle.”
In short, new information and further assessment led Intuitive’s engineers to change their assessment of the lander’s final position. That assessment could change further as new data becomes available.
“My theory is just a theory,” Altemus said. He added that analysis of data will continue, and that photographs will be taken to help clarify the final result.
Altemus added that not all is lost, and that the IM-1 mission is continuing. “The majority of our payloads are all in view, and we are collecting science,” he said.
He illustrated his point further later in the press conference. “Fortunately, for most [experiments aboard Odysseus] of the payloads exposed to the outside, above the surface.”
On its side, of course, one panel has to be downwards close to the lunar surface. “That panel has a single payload on it, and it’s not an operational payload. It’s a static payload and we’re going to try to take a picture of that payload if we can.” Altemus continued by adding that it is believed that the panel holds the artwork payload, the Moon Phases Pace Verso / 4Space / NFMoon Sculpture created by artist Jeff Koons.
From a science standpoint, this may be the best possible outcome, allowing active experiments to continue gather data given the position Odysseus is now resting in. Odysseus’ surface operations are expected to take place through Thursday, February 29th, after which the landing site will be in lunar night and without any power from solar panels. With no power, the spacecraft cannot continue operations.
As to photos, Altemus said that “Now that we’re on the Goonhilly dish in the United Kingdom, we’re downloading data from the buffers in the spacecraft trying to get you surface photos because I know that everyone’s hungry for those surface photos.”
At the end of the day, given the novel territory that Intuitive Machines was operating in — this was their first foray to the lunar surface — it is fair to say that while they succeeded in landing their spacecraft safely, it did not land in an optimal position. It is also fair to say that many of the science objectives can probably still be met before the mission concludes, but like the lander, they too may not achieve all of their objectives.
At the end of the day, Intuitive Machines, NASA and scientists operating the experiments aboard Odysseus will learn a great deal. That knowledge will inform future missions and add to their chances of complete success.
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