Artemis 2 Live Updates: Humanity’s Epic Return to the Moon 🔴

The ICPS completed the perigee maneuver to raise the Orion spacecraft into a more stable orbit. This will set the stage for a second, longer ICPS burn that will raise Orion into a high-Earth orbit.

With MECO and the first separation out of the way, there are two major milestones still left to go today. At 7:24 p.m. ET, the ICPS will fire its engine to raise Orion’s perigee to about 100 miles (161 kilometers) above Earth, followed by a second burn around 8:24 p.m. that will push the spacecraft into a high-Earth, or parking, orbit. Once that’s done, the crew will spend the next 25 hours checking Orion’s systems, configuring the cabin, and preparing for the next major milestone: tomorrow’s critical translunar injection burn.

SLS cruised past MaxQ—the point at which the rocket experiences maximum aerodynamic pressure—and ventured higher towards space. The side boosters fell away as planned, followed by main engine cutoff (MECO) and separation of Orion and the ICPS from the core stage approximately 8 minutes into the mission. Looking good so far.

At 6:35 p.m. ET, the SLS boosters ignited, generating 8.8 million pounds of thrust to propel the Orion spacecraft skyward. The rocket has now cleared the tower and entered space.

The terminal countdown is about to begin.

“Full send,” Artemis 2 Commander Reid Wiseman said, concluding the launch poll.

At 5:57 p.m. ET, the closeout crew completed its final tasks and departed Launch Complex 39B. The Orion spacecraft is now sealed and ready for flight.

Now, the launch control team is preparing to initiate the final countdown. With just minutes to go before the launch window opens, anticipation is building.

Engineers investigated the LAS battery issue and determined that it will not affect today’s launch.

White House Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino said President Trump called NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman to “wish everyone luck this evening.”

President Donald Trump will be monitoring the planned launch of Artemis II from the White House, a White House official told NBC News.

President Trump called @NASAAdmin Jared Isaacman down at @NASAKennedy in Florida to wish everyone luck this evening. We will all be watching, along with the rest of the world.

The countdown to history is underway!

Let’s go Artemis II 🇺🇸🚀

Great accounts to follow:… pic.twitter.com/bsOTwKgOTX

— Dan Scavino (@Scavino47) April 1, 2026

The rain has dissipated, and the latest weather report says conditions are 90% favorable for launch during the two-hour window. While clouds are no longer gathering at Kennedy Space Center, spectators certainly are.

Now for the bad news. One of the two Launch Abort System (LAS) batteries is outside its allowable temperature range. It’s not a problem at the moment, but it could become one later in the countdown. Teams are currently working to troubleshoot it.

Here’s me and my viewing setup for today’s launch. Needless to say, it’s my first time experiencing a crewed Moon mission, and I am stoked. I was a mere two-year-old when Apollo 17—the last of NASA’s Cold War Moon missions—came to a close in December 1972. I don’t recall that, but I do remember the inaugural launch of the Space Shuttle Columbia in 1981 and was instantly hooked on space and spaceflight. Pretty wild to think that, as a 55-year-old, I’m witnessing a crewed Moon mission for the first time. I’m sure many of you feel the same way—this is long overdue.

NASA astronaut and Crew-12 mission commander Jessica Meir posted a video on X of astronauts aboard the International Space Station wishing the Artemis 2 crew a safe flight.

“Godspeed, Artemis 2!” they said, with a laptop showing live coverage of the pre-launch proceedings at Kennedy Space Center.

Godspeed, Artemis II! pic.twitter.com/lNLtud6ldO

— Jessica Meir (@Astro_Jessica) April 1, 2026

NASA broadcasters said just before 5:15 p.m. ET that the range is clear for launch, signaling that the issue with the flight termination system has been resolved.

Technicians have also completed the launch abort system hatch closure, which is essential to ensuring that Orion is fully sealed and ready for launch, according to NASA. The hatch provides an additional protective barrier for the crew module and enables a rapid escape route in the event of an emergency.

We are one hour away from the start of the launch window. Aside from a risk of rain showers, NASA is not working any constraints.

It’s been a remarkably smooth day so far. Seeing such a flawless tanking was likely surprising to many who have been following the Artemis program since the beginning. Here’s hoping the weather holds out.

A NASA commentator said engineers are working to address an issue with the SLS rocket’s flight termination system. The Eastern Range, a division of the U.S. Space Force, uses this system to send a destruct signal to the rocket in the unlikely event that it veers off course. In that scenario, the crew capsule would separate from the rocket, saving the astronauts before SLS self-destructs.

Countdown procedures are still proceeding normally. The commentator said engineers are planning to use a piece of hardware stored in the Vehicle Assembly Building to try and fix the problem.

“Without assurance that this system would work if needed, today’s launch would be no-go,” NASA stated in a 5:00 p.m. ET update. “However, engineers have devised a way to verify the system and are currently preparing to test this solution.”

The food the Artemis 2 astronauts will eat over the course of their mission was specifically chosen to support crew health and performance—and to be shelf-stable, of course! With no resupply, refrigeration, or late-load capacity, NASA must select meals that will be safe to eat and easy to prepare throughout the entirety of the flight.

Some notable items on the menu include barbecued beef brisket, mango-peach smoothies, and 58 tortillas, to be exact.

At 4:02 p.m. ET, technicians began installing the crew module hatch service panel on the Orion spacecraft. This panel will protect key connections and ensure the hatch area is secure for flight, according to NASA.

The closeout team is also confirming that all systems around the hatch are properly sealed and ready for launch. Once the hatch area is secured, ground teams will proceed through final checks and countdown operations.

Florida Today says upwards of 400,000 people are expected to gather along the Space Coast to watch the big launch. Incredibly, these rocket gazers could inject as much as $160 million into the local economy.

“Most folks are going to spend a few days in town. They’re going to spend money in restaurants, hotels, bars,” John Boyd, principal with The Boyd Company Inc. of Boca Raton, told Florida Today. “All of that drives economic impact, and it all creates new tax revenue.”

The city of Titusville is posting images to its Facebook page, showing large crowds gathering on the beach. The city has a clear view of Kennedy Space Center, making it a prime spot for spectators (people are gathering at the very aptly named Space View Park). Needless to say, these visitors are bringing a lot of extra traffic to the area. A recently reported car crash near Titusville is unfortunately causing major traffic delays.

At 3:17 p.m. ET, the closeout crew was preparing and closing the crew module hatch to the Orion spacecraft. This is one of the most critical steps before launch, according to NASA. The crew will work meticulously to inspect seals, secure fasteners, and verify that the hatch is airtight.

This process will ensure that Orion is fully pressurized and ready for flight. Once the hatch is closed and locked, the astronauts are sealed inside the capsule.

Check out Jeremy Hansen’s patch. Designed by Manitoba Anishinaabe artist Henry Guimond (with a contribution from Turtle Lodge leader Dave Courchene III), it was made specifically for the pioneering Canadian astronaut. The patch incorporates indigenous knowledge and symbolism, including the Seven Sacred Laws represented by animals.

“While the patch contains elements of Anishinaabe culture that do not reflect all First Nations, Inuit and Métis cultures, working with an Indigenous artist to create the patch he will wear with great humility as he represents our country in space was Jeremy’s way to recognize the importance of traditional knowledge and Indigenous Peoples in Canada,” according to a Canadian Space Agency statement.

The personalized Artemis 2 patch combines this cultural imagery (along with symbols of Canada) with space and spaceflight elements, namely stars for navigation and the Orion spacecraft. Fun fact (at least for me): Hansen and I share the same hometown: London, Ontario.

Just before 3:00 p.m. ET, The Artemis 2 astronauts were strapped into their seats inside the Orion spacecraft.

Before entering the capsule, each crew member signed the inside of the white room—another NASA tradition. The closeout crew assisted them into their seats, ensuring that their spacesuits and helmets did not catch on the hardware inside Orion. Now, the Artemis 2 astronauts are running through voice checks to ensure the communication system is working as expected.

Once all checks are complete, the closeout crew will prepare to close the crew module and exterior launch abort system hatches. This is a challenging and complex process—even a single strand of hair inside the hatch doors can cause issues, according to NASA. To ensure airtight seals and communication readiness, the closeout crew will slowly move through closeout procedures over the course of up to four hours.

The Artemis 2 mission will send four astronauts farther from Earth than any human has gone before. During their 10-day flight around the Moon, they will encounter high levels of space radiation and reach a maximum distance of 250,000 miles from Earth.

“I often talk about the most complicated system on this vehicle is going to be the human,” Steven Platts, chief scientist of the Human Research Program at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, previously told Gizmodo. “We need to understand exactly what’s going to happen in order to prevent anything bad from happening and keep them safe and healthy.”

Over the course of their mission, the Artemis 2 astronauts will serve as both researchers and human test subjects, gathering data on how the spaceflight environment impacts their health. They will use continuous radiation monitoring, wearable sensors, biological sampling, and cutting-edge “organ-on-a-chip” technology to track changes in sleep, stress, cognition, and overall physiology.

At 2:14 p.m. ET, the Artemis 2 astronauts arrived at Launch Complex 39B. They are now in the white room and preparing to board the Orion spacecraft.

In this clean, controlled environment at the end of the crew access arm, the closeout crew will assist the astronauts with hatch operations and verify that all safety systems are ready for launch, according to NASA. At 2:27 p.m., the astronauts were donning their helmets and gloves while the closeout crew finalized suit integrity checks. These last steps ensure airtight seals and communication readiness for the mission.

The opening of the launch window is just four hours away.

During the 20 minute astrovan ride to the launch pad, the Artemis 2 astronauts will be watching clips of “Top Gun” and “Point Break” via the van’s TV and sound system. Not a bad way to get pumped up!

At 1:50 p.m. ET, the Artemis 2 astronauts stepped outside the double doors at the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building to cheers and applause from family and friends. Every NASA astronaut since Apollo 7 in 1968 has made this same walk.

“It’s a great day for us, a great day for this team,” Artemis 2 Commander Reid Wiseman said.

The crew embraced the friends and family they had quarantined with, then hopped into the van that will take them to the launch pad.

Before leaving the crew quarters, the astronauts upheld a long-standing spaceflight tradition. At this point in the pre-launch proceedings, NASA crews play cards until the commander loses, according to NASA. The hope is that by losing, the commander burns off all his or her bad luck, thereby clearing the mission for only good luck.

At 1:36 p.m. ET, NASA’s pad rescue and closeout crew teams arrived at Launch Complex 39B. These specialized teams play a vital role in protecting agency personnel and hardware throughout the countdown, according to NASA. They will ensure safety and readiness during critical final fueling operations.

The pad rescue team will respond immediately in the unlikely event of an emergency, while the closeout crew is responsible for closing the Orion crew module and launch abort system hatches, securing access points, certifying pad configurations, and maintaining the integrity of the launch area during propellant loading and system checks.

Artemis 2 is, first and foremost, a crewed test flight of the SLS and Orion. But this mission will also gather invaluable data on the Moon’s far side. During their 10-day flight, the astronauts will act as researchers, observing parts of the lunar surface never before seen with the naked eye.

“I’m really excited about this test flight,” Jacob Richardson, deputy lunar science lead for Artemis 2, previously told Gizmodo. “There is a super special place in my heart for Artemis 2—for the crew that has completely leaned into being a part of our science team and for the science that we’ll get out of this mission.”

According to Richardson, the Artemis 2 crew will be the first humans to see virtually the entire far side disk in a single view. From their vantage point, they’ll be able to observe and compare surface features thousands of miles apart from each other—a perspective orbiters can’t provide.

The crew will dedicate one full day to observing the Moon’s surface. Richardson and his colleagues on the lunar science team have provided them with extensive training on how to look for certain features, photograph or videotape them, and write detailed descriptions of what they see.

NASA has confirmed that all liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen tanks aboard the SLS rocket are 100% full, in the replenish phase, and ready for launch. This is a huge win for the Artemis 2 team, as hydrogen leaks and other tanking-related issues were among the biggest concerns leading up to lift off.

“No leaks, no issues, and we’re looking good at this point,” Derrol Nail, a member of NASA’s communications team, reported from Firing Room 1 in the Launch Control Center.

Now, the Artemis 2 countdown is entering a planned 1-hour and 10-minute built-in hold. This scheduled pause will allow teams to complete crucial systems checks, verify launch readiness, and make any last-minute adjustments before the crew boards Orion and final fueling operations begin, according to NASA.

Once the hold concludes, the countdown will resume with preparations for astronaut arrival at Launch Pad 39B.

NASA’s live broadcast of the Artemis 2 proceedings began at 1 p.m. ET with a glimpse of the crew in the suit-up room getting prepped for launch. Above you can see mission pilot Victor Glover (left) and mission commander Reid Wiseman (right) donning their orange Orion Crew Survival System suits.

Suit technicians are helping the astronauts into their spacesuits, which are designed to protect them and keep the cool and dry during launch and reentry. The crew will also wear them if an emergency situation arises and during high-risk parts of their mission.

During the suit-up process, technicians will check for leaks and ensure that all connecting life support systems, including air and power, are operating as expected.

Just after 12:40 p.m. ET, Artemis 2 launch director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson provided an update from the mission’s weather officer, confirming that the forecast is still 80% go for launch. Blackwell-Thompson said teams are monitoring some precipitation that is making its way toward the pad, but they expect it to dissipate before the launch window opens at 6:24 p.m. tonight.

At 12:23 p.m. ET, the launch team finished fast filling the SLS rocket’s upper stage with liquid oxygen and confirmed that it is ready to proceed with the LOX vent and relief test. This step will verify proper pressure regulation and ensure the system is ready to transition into topping and replenish operations, according to NASA.

We should be getting a forecast update for the launch window shortly. Right now, some clouds are gathering over Kennedy Space Center, and there is a chance of showers later today, according to the National Weather Service.

At 12:03 p.m. ET, the launch team entered replenish mode for liquid oxygen tanking into the SLS rocket’s core stage. With LOX fast fill and topping complete, this will ensure the oxidizer remains at flight-ready levels ahead of launch.

At 11:42 a.m. ET, the launch team began fast filling liquid oxygen into the SLS rocket’s upper stage (ICPS). With chilldown complete, this phase rapidly loads LOX into ICPS to bring the upper stage closer to full readiness for liftoff, according to NASA.

About 25 hours after launch, Orion’s main engine will perform a translunar injection burn to set course toward the Moon. Just before the crew goes to sleep on the fifth day of flight, Orion will enter the lunar sphere of influence. As the force of the Moon’s gravity becomes stronger than Earth’s, the spacecraft will be naturally pulled toward the Moon.

On the sixth day of flight, the lunar flyby will begin. As Orion zooms over the lunar far side, the Artemis 2 astronauts will observe parts of the surface humans have never laid eyes on. The information they gather will greatly enhance lunar science, helping researchers on Earth better understand our closest celestial neighbor.

The next day, Orion will exit the lunar sphere of influence and embark on a free-return trajectory back to Earth. On the tenth day of flight, the crew capsule will separate from the service module and reenter Earth’s atmosphere at 24,700 miles per hour (39,750 kilometers per hour). The capsule will splash down off the coast of San Diego, California, bringing an end to the mission.

At 11:09 a.m. ET, the launch team initiated the liquid hydrogen topping phase for the SLS rocket’s upper stage, or ICPS. This step takes place after chilldown and vent-and-relief checks are complete to ensure the LH2 tank reaches full capacity. With topping complete, the team transitioned to replenish mode at 11:15 a.m.

That cute little plushie Artemis 2 commander Reid Wiseman is holding is actually the fifth member of the crew. Called “Rise,” the toy was designed by Lucas Ye, a second-grader from Mountain View, California. Ye’s design was inspired by the iconic Earthrise photo from the Apollo 8 mission.

Rise will serve as the mission’s zero gravity indicator—a small plush object that rides with a crew to visually indicate when they are in the microgravity environment of space. Here’s Ye showing off his incredible design below.

The Artemis II zero gravity indicator “Rise” was having a main character moment as the Artemis II astronauts flew to @NASAKennedy today to prepare for launch. pic.twitter.com/VlTx6OhovG

— NASA Artemis (@NASAArtemis) March 27, 2026

At 10:24 a.m. ET, the launch team began liquid hydrogen topping for the SLS rocket’s core stage. This process involves adding small amounts of LH2 to the fuel tanks after fast fill is complete to ensure they remain at full capacity ahead of launch.

That’s because the super-cold propellant naturally boils off, according to NASA. This step will maintain the precise fuel levels needed for launch while keeping the system thermally stable.

At 10:35 a.m., the team entered the “replenish” phase for SLS core stage LH2 tanking. This continuous, low-rate flow of LH2 into the tanks keeps them topped off and thermally stable as the cryogenic propellant boils off. It is the final step in the fueling process.

Spaceflight is hard, and no mission has higher stakes than a crewed deep-space flight. Of course, NASA would not be pursuing a launch attempt today without strong confidence in the mission and crew safety, but no spaceflight is risk-free, and the agency can’t predict every anomaly.

Some of the worst-case scenarios that could arise over the course of Artemis 2 include an orbital injection error, a failed translunar injection, an Orion service module systems failure, a heat shield malfunctions, or a bout of violent solar weather. These issues could prevent the mission from achieving its key objectives, or worse—endanger the crew. You can learn more about the risks associated with Artemis 2 here.

NASA’s super heavy-lift rocket is currently the only launch vehicle capable of sending the agency’s Orion spacecraft, four astronauts, and large cargo to the Moon on a single launch. It’s made up of two main components: a core stage and an upper stage.

The core stage stands more than 212 feet (65 meters) tall and stores 733,000 gallons (2,774,707 liters) of cryogenic propellant to power its four RS-25 engines. At T-0, the core stage’s solid rocket boosters will produce 8.8 million pounds (4 million kilograms) of thrust to blast off.

The upper stage, or interim cryogenic propulsion stage (ICPS), has one Rl10 engine that generates nearly 25,000 pounds (11,000) kilograms of thrust. After launch, this stage will separate from the rest of the rocket with Orion to adjust the spacecraft’s orbit in preparation for translunar injection.

At 9:52 a.m. ET, the launch team transitioned to the fast fill of liquid hydrogen for the SLS rocket’s interim cryogenic propulsion stage (ICPS). With the chilldown phase complete, engineers are rapidly loading super-cold LH2 into the upper stage tanks to ensure they are fully fueled and ready to go for launch.

At 9:36 a.m. ET, the launch team began the liquid hydrogen chilldown for the the SLS rocket’s upper stage, also known as the interim cryogenic propulsion stage (ICPS).

This process gradually cools the ICPS fuel lines and hardware to cryogenic temperatures using super-cold LH2, according to NASA. Like the slow-fill phase earlier this morning, this process is essential to preventing thermal shock and ensuring the stage is properly conditioned for full propellant loading later today.

The ICPS has a critical role to play in Artemis 2. Shortly after launch, Orion and ICPS will separate from the rest of SLS. ICPS will then perform an initial burn to maintain Orion’s trajectory.

About 49 minutes into the flight, the ICPS will fire its engine again to raise the perigee—the lowest point of Orion’s orbit—to an altitude of 100 miles (161 kilometers) above Earth. It will then fire a third time to raise Orion into a high-Earth orbit. This will set the spacecraft up for the translunar injection that will put it on the path to the Moon.

Artemis 2 commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, and mission specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen officially began their launch day with a scheduled wake-up call at 9:25 a.m. ET.

This is a historic crew. Glover will be the first person of color to visit the lunar environment, Koch the first woman, and Hansen the first Canadian—and first non-American—to make the journey. These firsts signal that NASA has truly entered a new era of human spaceflight—one that is far more diverse than the Apollo era.

At 9:04 a.m. ET, the launch team transitioned to the fast fill of liquid hydrogen into the SLS core stage.

With the slow fill phase complete, this phase will rapidly load cryogenic LH2 into the rocket’s massive tanks, bringing them closer to full capacity, according to NASA. Because the hardware has now been thermally conditioned, teams can safely increase the fueling rate.

Liquid hydrogen is a tricky fuel to work with, which is a large part of why the SLS has experienced so many hydrogen leaks in the past. As the smallest molecule—consisting of two bonded hydrogen atoms—LH2 can escape through minuscule gaps in seals and joints. The extremely cold temperature of the fuel, which is -423 degrees Fahrenheit (-253 degrees Celsius), can also cause these hardware elements to become brittle and crack.

Today is a very exciting day. In a matter of hours, humanity’s decades-long hiatus from crewed lunar spaceflight may finally come to an end. Here’s where Artemis 2 countdown proceedings currently stand.

Artemis Launch Director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson gave the official “go” for tanking at 7:33 a.m. ET. At 8:35 a.m., the launch team initiated the slow fill of liquid hydrogen (LH2) and liquid oxygen (LOX) into the SLS core stage. According to NASA, this phase introduces the super-cold propellants at a controlled rate to allow the rocket’s plumbing and tanks to gradually adjust to cryogenic temperatures. This minimizes stress on hardware and prepares the rocket for faster fueling later today.

Essentially, ground teams are setting the stage for full tanking operations. Tanking will be the most challenging part of today’s launch preparations, and SLS is known to act up during this process. Back in February, hydrogen leaks derailed the first Artemis 2 wet dress rehearsal. Here’s hoping tanking goes smoothly today.