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NASA Prepares for Historic Artemis 2 Lunar Mission in 2026

3/19/2026

48 10 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

NASA will roll Space Launch System (SLS) to Kennedy Space Center launch pad on March 20, 2026.
The rollout marks a step toward the first crewed lunar mission since 1972.
The rollout was delayed by one day due to electrical-harness maintenance.
Artemis 2 is planned for April 1, 2026, with NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen on a 10-day lunar flyby.

History

Historical Context

Apollo 17, the final crewed lunar mission, took place from December 7 to 19, 1972, with astronauts Eugene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt exploring the Moon. NASA's Artemis program aims to return humans to the Moon, with Artemis 2 scheduled for April 1, 2026, marking a renewed commitment to lunar exploration and the goal of establishing a sustainable human presence on the Moon.

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Story summary

NASA will roll Space Launch System (SLS) to Kennedy Space Center launch pad on March 20, 2026.
The rollout marks a step toward the first crewed lunar mission since 1972.
The rollout was delayed by one day due to electrical-harness maintenance.
Artemis 2 is planned for April 1, 2026, with NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen on a 10-day lunar flyby.

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