NASA's Artemis II Moon rocket arrives at the launch pad

theregister.com • January 19, 2026 • science

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NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, designated for the Artemis II mission, was moved to launch pad 39B at Kennedy Space Center on January 17 after a nearly 12-hour journey from the Vehicle Assembly Building.
Artemis II, scheduled to launch on February 6 with a crew of four astronauts including three from NASA and one Canadian, will conduct a nearly ten-day flyby mission around the Moon, marking the first crewed lunar mission in over 50 years.
Pre-launch preparations include a wet dress rehearsal by February 2 to test countdown procedures and cryogenic fueling, with the possibility of rolling back the rocket for additional work if issues arise, reflecting caution after leaks during Artemis I's campaign.
The Artemis II