For the first time since Apollo 17 touched down on the lunar surface in December 1972, human beings are embarking on a journey back to the Moon. Today, Wednesday, April 1, 2026, marks the scheduled launch of NASA’s Artemis II mission, carried by the powerful Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and the Orion spacecraft.
Four astronauts – three American and one Canadian – will strap into NASA’s Orion capsule atop the formidable Space Launch System rocket at Cape Canaveral, Florida. They will then begin a 10-day voyage that will literally take them farther from Earth than any human has ever traveled.
While they won’t be landing – not yet – the crew will conduct a critical test flight, orbiting the Moon and returning to Earth. This mission is a crucial step in NASA’s broader Artemis program, which aims to return astronauts to the lunar surface by 2028.
Weather conditions appear promising, with NASA’s Space Force meteorologists forecasting an 80% chance of favorable conditions for liftoff. Today is expected to offer the best weather within the entire April 1-6 launch window. The two-hour launch window opens at 6:24 PM ET and closes at 8:24 PM ET.
Times and How to Watch Live
NASA is providing comprehensive live coverage of every moment of this mission, from pre-launch fueling to splashdown, across multiple free platforms. Viewers can typically find live streams on NASA TV, the NASA website, and their official social media channels, including YouTube.
This is a developing story…