NASA’s Artemis II Crew Arrives at Kennedy Space Center Ahead of Lunar Mission

• March 28, 2026

The crew selected for NASA’s Artemis II mission has arrived at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, marking a significant milestone in preparations for the first crewed lunar flight in over five decades. The astronauts will conduct final training exercises at the launch site as the countdown progresses toward their departure to the Moon.

Artemis II is set to launch on the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket aboard the Orion spacecraft. This mission will follow the footsteps of the historic Apollo program by sending humans on a journey around the Moon, representing a crucial step in NASA’s broader Artemis program aimed at lunar exploration.

Final Preparations Underway Before Scheduled Launch

The launch window remains set to open on April 1, 2026, at 6:24 p.m. local time, offering around two hours for liftoff. Having arrived at the Kennedy Space Center on March 27, the astronauts will complete final rehearsals and system checks to ensure mission readiness before boarding the spacecraft.

This endeavor represents the first crewed lunar flyby in more than half a century since NASA’s Apollo 17 mission. Artemis II will pave the way for further lunar missions, including eventual landings, by proving critical technologies and operational procedures required for sustained human presence beyond low Earth orbit.

The Kennedy Space Center remains at the heart of NASA’s spaceflight operations, providing the infrastructure and expertise necessary to support human launches to the Moon and beyond. The Artemis II mission will capitalize on both the advanced capabilities of the SLS and the Orion spacecraft to ferry the crew safely on this pioneering voyage.

As the launch date draws near, attention remains focused on this historic mission which aims to reignite long-standing ambitions for lunar exploration and prepare for future missions deeper into the solar system. The Artemis program continues to embody a new era in space exploration, with Artemis II poised as a critical precursor to achieving these goals.

NASA’s Artemis II astronauts have reached Kennedy Space Center for final preparations before the historic lunar flyby mission.