The United States’ National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is preparing for the launch of its crewed test flight around the moon.
The Artemis II mission will be crewed by four astronauts from NASA and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA).
They’ll lift off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida from as soon as February 6.
A decision to lift off will not be made on the first possible date to attempt launch until system checks are complete.
“As our teams evaluate the rocket, spacecraft, ground systems, and crew, we will gain the information necessary to formalise a date in the available windows February through April,” NASA says.
“Launch opportunities also depend on orbital mechanics – the Moon needs to be in just the right position for the planned trajectory of our mission.”
The Artemis II test flight will send NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, and CSA astronaut Jeremy Hansen on an approximately 10-day journey around the moon and back.
It’s another step toward new US-crewed missions to the moon’s surface, leading to a sustained presence on the moon that’ll help the agency prepare to send the first astronauts – Americans – to Mars.
“Artemis II will be a momentous step forward for human spaceflight,” NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman says.
“This historic mission will send humans farther from Earth than ever before and deliver the insights needed for us to return to the moon, all with America at the helm.
“I could not be more impressed by our NASA team and the Artemis II crew and wish them well. Boldly forward.”
Under the Artemis campaign, NASA is returning humans to the moon for economic benefits, scientific discovery, and to prepare for crewed missions to Mars.
