NASA prepares first crewed journey toward Moon since Apollo

NASA is preparing to launch Artemis II, the first crewed mission to travel toward the Moon since the Apollo program ended in 1972, marking a major milestone in the United States’ renewed lunar exploration efforts.

Following multiple test campaigns and minor schedule adjustments, the US space agency is readying its Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft for transport to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Mashable writes.

In a blog post dated January 9, NASA said it is planning a potential wet dress rehearsal—a full launch-day simulation—by the end of January, with a possible launch window opening as early as February 6, pending final reviews.

NASA described Artemis II as a critical step toward long-term human exploration beyond Earth orbit. The mission is intended to pave the way for future landings on the Moon’s surface and support the agency’s long-term goal of eventually sending astronauts to Mars.

Originally scheduled for November 2024, Artemis II was later delayed to April 2026. Recent preparations, however, suggest the mission could launch earlier in 2026. The four-person crew will be led by NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman, joined by Victor Glover and Christina Koch of NASA, and Jeremy Hansen of the Canadian Space Agency.

During the approximately 10-day mission, the astronauts will test Orion’s life-support and navigation systems while traveling more than 6,400 kilometers (4,000 miles) beyond the Moon, including a flyby of its far side. Artemis II will not include a lunar landing but will validate systems needed for future surface missions.

The mission comes amid intensifying global competition in space exploration. China aims to land astronauts on the Moon by 2030, while India recently achieved a historic uncrewed landing near the Moon’s south pole. Private companies, including SpaceX, are also advancing lunar and deep-space technologies.

NASA officials say Artemis II represents both a technological test and a strategic step toward establishing a sustained human presence on the Moon, enabling scientific research, resource exploration, and preparation for future interplanetary missions.

By Sabina Mammadli