NASA’s Artemis II mission is set to launch April 1 from Kennedy Space Center’s Pad 39B, carrying four astronauts on a 10-day journey around the moon. The launch window opens at 6:24 p.m. and lasts two hours, with an 80% chance of favorable weather according to Space Force meteorologists. If delayed, up to three additional attempts could be made through April 6. The spacecraft will reenter Earth’s atmosphere at nearly 25,000 mph before slowing to 325 mph for a parachute-assisted splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.
The mission follows Artemis I’s 2022 test flight, which revealed issues with the Orion spacecraft’s heat shield during reentry. NASA has since addressed concerns, and the spacecraft’s heat shield is now deemed safe for crewed flight. The Orion capsule will travel farther from Earth than any human has ever gone, with the crew expected to circle the moon and return home.
Amentum’s Closeout Crew will be the last people to see the astronauts before launch. The team will strap the crew into their seats and seal the Orion spacecraft’s hatch. This task is critical for mission success, as the crew will spend eight days in space, testing systems and procedures for future lunar landings.
The launch comes as Brevard County residents and visitors prepare for a major event at Kennedy Space Center. Weather forecasts predict occasional rain this week, but conditions are expected to clear in time for the historic liftoff. The mission marks a key step in NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the moon by 2025 and establish a sustainable presence for future Mars missions.