NASA is currently targeting a launch window between and , 2026, for Artemis II, the first crewed mission of the Artemis program. This follows the completion of a wet dress rehearsal and ongoing analysis of test data. The four astronauts assigned to the mission – Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen – were initially placed in quarantine on , but have since been released, and will re-enter quarantine approximately two weeks before the revised launch target.
The purpose of the quarantine, often referred to as the health stabilization program, is to limit the crew’s exposure to illness in the critical period leading up to launch. This typically lasts around 14 days. The Artemis II mission will send the crew on a flight around the Moon, marking the first human lunar flyby in over 50 years. The ten-day mission will depart from Cape Canaveral, Florida.
The initial quarantine period was prompted by the possibility of a launch in early March. However, challenges encountered during the wet dress rehearsal – a full-up prelaunch simulation – necessitated a review of systems and further technical checks. The wet dress rehearsal successfully filled the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and the Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage (ICPS) with over 700,000 gallons of propellant, but revealed several technical hurdles.
One significant issue was a liquid hydrogen leak detected at a core stage interface. Engineers spent considerable time managing the leak, requiring multiple pauses to warm hardware and allow seals to reseat. The ground launch sequencer also automatically halted the countdown at T-5 minutes 15 seconds due to an increase in the hydrogen leak rate. Closeout operations for the Orion capsule took longer than anticipated, requiring adjustments to a valve associated with the crew module hatch pressurization. Intermittent audio dropouts and the impact of cold weather on ground equipment also presented challenges during the test.
Despite these complications, the wet dress rehearsal successfully demonstrated updated Orion closeout purge procedures. Teams implemented a change to use breathing air instead of gaseous nitrogen in the “White Room” – the area where astronauts board the capsule – to enhance safety for both the ground crew and the Artemis II astronauts.
The release of the crew from the initial quarantine allows for flexibility as NASA continues to analyze data and prepare for the launch. They will re-enter quarantine approximately two weeks before the final launch date is confirmed. Once the launch date is set, the crew will travel to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida about six days prior to liftoff. There, they will reside in the astronaut crew quarters inside the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building.
During quarantine, the crew will maintain contact with friends, family, and colleagues who adhere to quarantine guidelines. They will avoid public places, wear masks, and practice social distancing while continuing their final training activities, including mission simulations and medical checkouts. This careful approach aims to ensure the crew remains healthy and ready for the demanding mission ahead.
The Artemis II mission represents a crucial step in NASA’s broader Artemis program, which aims to establish a sustainable human presence on the Moon and eventually prepare for crewed missions to Mars. The success of Artemis II is vital for validating the SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft, paving the way for future lunar exploration.
The agency had initially identified five potential launch windows in March and six in April, demonstrating a commitment to maximizing launch opportunities. The current target window of March 6-11 reflects the progress made in addressing the issues identified during the wet dress rehearsal and the ongoing preparations at the launch pad.
