NASA's Artemis II Moon Mission Launch Preparations
NASA is finalizing preparations for its Artemis II crewed moon mission, targeting an April 1 launch. The mission, which will orbit the Moon, has seen its Space Launch System rocket repaired after previous delays.
Latest Developments
How Congress became NASA’s partner for the Artemis return to the moon
The Senate Commerce Committee passed the 2026 NASA authorization bill, marking a dramatic shift in congressional approach to space policy. The legislation represents a complete transformation from the 2010 NASA authorization, signaling stronger legislative partnership in the Artemis lunar program. This congressional backing provides NASA with renewed political support for its moon return mission. The bill now advances to the full Senate for consideration.
NASA officials sidestepped questions on Artemis II risks—there's a reason why
NASA officials avoided giving direct answers about risks during a Thursday press conference on the Artemis II Moon mission when pressed by reporters. Artemis II will mark the first human mission to lunar vicinity since 1972, representing a far more dangerous journey than routine trips to the International Space Station just hundreds of miles above Earth. The evasive responses came despite the mission's significance as a taxpayer-funded venture requiring transparency for astronauts, NASA workforce, the White House, and lawmakers. Officials' reluctance to discuss hazards openly contrasts with expectations for setting public expectations about such a high-stakes spaceflight endeavor.
NASA targets April 1 for Artemis II moon mission
NASA has set April 1 as the target launch date for its Artemis II moon mission, with officials stating the equipment is ready for the crewed lunar flyby. CBS News correspondent Bill Harwood is providing coverage of the mission preparations.
NASA eyes April 1 launch of Artemis II
NASA is rolling the Artemis II rocket back to its launch pad next Thursday, targeting an April 1 launch date for the mission. Artemis II represents NASA's first crewed lunar mission in over 50 years, designed to send astronauts around the moon as part of the agency's broader goal to return humans to the lunar surface. The mission marks a critical milestone in NASA's Artemis program, which aims to establish a sustainable human presence on the moon and eventually serve as a stepping stone for Mars exploration. The launch preparation follows extensive testing and development of NASA's Space Launch System rocket and Orion crew capsule. Success of Artemis II would pave the way for Artemis III, the planned lunar landing mission that would put the first woman and next man on the moon.
NASA sets April 1 as new target for delayed moon mission
NASA has set April 1 as the new target for its delayed moon mission. The agency's Space Launch System rocket has been repaired. The repaired rocket is ready for rollout back to the launch pad next week.
Key Facts
NASA plans to roll out the Artemis II rocket to its launch pad one week from Thursday.
Source: CBS News
The new target launch date for the Artemis II crewed moon mission is April 1.
Source: CBS News, NPR, BBC News
The Space Launch System rocket for Artemis II has been repaired after previous delays.
Source: CBS News, BBC News
Artemis II is a lunar orbital mission, part of NASA's broader program to return humans to the Moon.
Source: NPR
Recent Highlights
NASA sets April 1 as the new target date for the Artemis II crewed moon mission.
NASA plans to roll out the Artemis II rocket to its launch pad.
Reports confirm the Space Launch System rocket has been repaired after technical problems.
NASA sets April 1 as the new target launch date for the Artemis II moon mission.
NASA announces plans to roll out the Artemis II rocket to its launch pad.
Full Coverage (7 articles)
How Congress became NASA’s partner for the Artemis return to the moon
The Senate Commerce Committee passed the 2026 NASA authorization bill, marking a dramatic shift in congressional approach to space policy. The legislation represents a complete transformation from the 2010 NASA authorization, signaling stronger legislative partnership in the Artemis lunar program. This congressional backing provides NASA with renewed political support for its moon return mission. The bill now advances to the full Senate for consideration.
NASA officials sidestepped questions on Artemis II risks—there's a reason why
NASA officials avoided giving direct answers about risks during a Thursday press conference on the Artemis II Moon mission when pressed by reporters. Artemis II will mark the first human mission to lunar vicinity since 1972, representing a far more dangerous journey than routine trips to the International Space Station just hundreds of miles above Earth. The evasive responses came despite the mission's significance as a taxpayer-funded venture requiring transparency for astronauts, NASA workforce, the White House, and lawmakers. Officials' reluctance to discuss hazards openly contrasts with expectations for setting public expectations about such a high-stakes spaceflight endeavor.
NASA targets April 1 for Artemis II moon mission
NASA has set April 1 as the target launch date for its Artemis II moon mission, with officials stating the equipment is ready for the crewed lunar flyby. CBS News correspondent Bill Harwood is providing coverage of the mission preparations.
NASA eyes April 1 launch of Artemis II
NASA is rolling the Artemis II rocket back to its launch pad next Thursday, targeting an April 1 launch date for the mission. Artemis II represents NASA's first crewed lunar mission in over 50 years, designed to send astronauts around the moon as part of the agency's broader goal to return humans to the lunar surface. The mission marks a critical milestone in NASA's Artemis program, which aims to establish a sustainable human presence on the moon and eventually serve as a stepping stone for Mars exploration. The launch preparation follows extensive testing and development of NASA's Space Launch System rocket and Orion crew capsule. Success of Artemis II would pave the way for Artemis III, the planned lunar landing mission that would put the first woman and next man on the moon.
NASA sets April 1 as new target for delayed moon mission
NASA has set April 1 as the new target for its delayed moon mission. The agency's Space Launch System rocket has been repaired. The repaired rocket is ready for rollout back to the launch pad next week.
NASA targets Artemis II crewed moon mission for April 1 launch
NASA is targeting April 1 for the launch of its Artemis II crewed moon mission from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This lunar orbital mission marks the first time humans would return to the moon since the Apollo 17 mission in 1972. The launch window for Artemis II is six days long. The article does not provide specific details on who did what to whom, what data or systems were affected, or documented consequences beyond the scheduled launch.
Artemis II: Nasa targets early April for Moon mission
NASA announced it has resolved technical problems that delayed the Artemis II Moon mission and is now targeting early April for launch. The space agency says the rocket is ready for launch after fixing the technical issues that caused previous delays.