Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

NASA's Artemis II Set for January 2026 Lunar Mission

1/12/2026

24 4

Summary

Story summary

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) plans Artemis II rollout of Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion to Launch Pad 39B as early as January 13, 2026.
The mission will fly four astronauts on a 10-day lunar flight.
Preparations include a bent cable and valve replacements, plus a wet dress rehearsal.
If rollout succeeds, NASA will proceed to a flight readiness review with a February 6, 2026 launch window.

History

Historical Context

The Apollo 11 mission, launched on July 16, 1969, marked the first successful moon landing, with astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin stepping onto the lunar surface on July 20. This monumental achievement fulfilled President John F. Kennedy's 1961 goal of landing a man on the Moon, showcasing U.S. technological prowess during the Cold War. The upcoming Artemis II mission aims to continue this legacy of lunar exploration.

1 of 2

Story summary

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) plans Artemis II rollout of Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion to Launch Pad 39B as early as January 13, 2026.
The mission will fly four astronauts on a 10-day lunar flight.
Preparations include a bent cable and valve replacements, plus a wet dress rehearsal.
If rollout succeeds, NASA will proceed to a flight readiness review with a February 6, 2026 launch window.

1 / 2