NASA Space Launch System Block 1 Artemis II
Space Launch System Block 1
Status
Success
Date
1 APR 2026
22:35
Launch Provider
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Launch Pad
Launch Complex 39B
Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA
Mission Overview
Artemis II is the first crewed mission as part of the Artemis program. Artemis II will send a crew of 4 - 3 Americans and 1 Canadian around the moon and return them back to Earth. The mission will test the core systems of NASA's Orion spacecraft including the critical life support system, among other systems which could not be tested during Artemis I due to the lack of crew onboard.
Rocket
Space Launch System Block 1
Mission Type
Human Exploration
Orbit
Lunar flyby
Stages
2
Livestream
Rocket Details
The Space Launch System (SLS) is an American Space Shuttle-derived heavy expendable launch vehicle. It is part of NASA's deep space exploration plans including as the main launch vehicle of the Artemis program. SLS follows the cancellation of the Constellation program, and is to replace the retired Space Shuttle.
Height
98 m
Diameter
8.4 m
Launch Mass
2,628 T
Thrust
39,000 kN