NASA is preparing to launch its Artemis 2 mission to the moon, aiming for a liftoff window starting on February 6, 2024. The agency plans to roll out its Space Launch System (SLS) rocket from the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The rollout is scheduled for January 17 at 07:00 EST (12:00 GMT), covering approximately 4 miles (6.4 kilometers) to Launch Complex-39B.
Following the rollout, mission managers will conduct critical systems integrations and tests. These will culminate in a “wet dress rehearsal,” set for February 2, where the rocket will be fueled, and a countdown will be simulated. If all goes as planned, Artemis 2 will mark the first crewed lunar flight since Apollo 17 in 1972.
Historic Mission with a New Crew
The Artemis 2 mission will carry four astronauts: NASA’s Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen from the Canadian Space Agency. Unlike Apollo 17, which landed on the lunar surface, Artemis 2 will take the crew on a flyby of the moon, allowing them to observe the far side and test the Orion spacecraft’s systems for deep space travel. This mission is pivotal for paving the way for Artemis 3, which is planned for a crewed lunar landing in 2027 or 2028.
As the timeline for Artemis 2 tightens, NASA faces several challenges. Past missions, like Artemis 1, encountered delays due to fueling issues and hydrogen leaks. The success of the upcoming wet dress rehearsal is critical; if it fails, the launch window could close, necessitating a rescheduling for March or April.
Coordination with SpaceX Missions
In tandem with Artemis 2 preparations, NASA is also coordinating the launch of SpaceX’s Crew-12 mission to the International Space Station (ISS). Following a medical evacuation that cut Crew-11’s mission short, NASA aims to launch Crew-12 by February 15, shortly after the Artemis 2 window opens. Despite the overlap, NASA officials, including Jeff Radigan, the lead flight director for Artemis 2, emphasized that there is no rush to launch both missions simultaneously.
Radigan remarked, “This is not a rush. It’s not prudent for us to put both those [missions] up at the same time.” The agency’s focus remains on ensuring both missions are thoroughly prepared before any launch decisions are made.
The Artemis 2 mission represents a significant step in NASA’s broader Artemis program, which aims to establish a sustainable human presence on the moon and beyond. As the agency approaches key milestones, the outcomes of the upcoming tests will determine the trajectory of this historic endeavor.
