Cape Canaveral, Florida — NASA’s highly anticipated Artemis 2 mission is moving forward, with the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket now on its way to Launch Pad 39B. The rocket’s rollout began early on January 17, 2026, at 7:04 a.m. EST, marking a significant milestone in the agency’s efforts to return astronauts to the Moon for the first time in over five decades.

This monumental journey is about four miles from the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB), where the towering 322-foot rocket was meticulously assembled. Launch Director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson noted that following the initial motion, it would take around an hour for the rocket to emerge from the VAB, offering the public a spectacular view of the rocket as it crosses the facility’s threshold.

The rollout of the Artemis 2 vehicle is expected to take between eight to ten hours. NASA’s Crawler Transporter 2 carries the combined mass of 11 million pounds, which includes the SLS rocket, the mobile launch platform, and the Orion spacecraft. The launch team is working diligently to set up the rocket for its crucial fueling tests, deemed necessary for the upcoming mission, scheduled for potential launch in the early days of February.

During a recent press conference, officials expressed optimism about meeting the tight timeline ahead of the mission. With a scheduled “wet dress rehearsal” fueling test on February 2, NASA aims to evaluate the rocket’s performance, which will be pivotal in determining if the Artemis 2 astronauts can launch as intended between February 6 and 10.

As the first crewed mission of Artemis, Artemis 2 will not only support exploration goals but also serve as a foundation for future lunar missions. It is crucial to verify the functionality of the spacecraft equipped with life support systems essential for a successful ten-day journey around the Moon.

The Artemis program marks a significant step forward for NASA, aiming to foster international partnerships and inspire future generations of explorers. The agency has already successfully completed an uncrewed test flight with Artemis 1, and now all eyes are on this crewed mission.

Blackwell-Thompson emphasized the importance of preparation, stating, “We have multiple opportunities each month to launch Artemis 2,” which allows some flexibility should any issues arise during testing. While the February launch remains the primary goal, NASA has contingency plans that permit a potential launch in March or April if necessary.

As the rollout progresses, NASA invites space enthusiasts and the broader public to witness this significant leap into the new frontier of space exploration, a venture laden with challenges but enriched by the promise of discovery. The completion of Artemis 2 represents not just a reunion with our Moon but also strides toward the goal of sending humans to Mars.

The preparations for this historic mission continue, and excitement is palpable as NASA gears up for what could be a new era of manned space exploration, rekindling dreams that lead humanity to the stars.