NASA Sets February 2026 Launch for Artemis II Crewed Lunar Flyby Mission

NASA has scheduled the Artemis II mission, the first crewed lunar mission since 1972, for launch on February 6, 2026, with backup dates through mid-February. The mission will carry four astronauts, including one from the Canadian Space Agency, on a 10-day flight that will orbit Earth twice before performing a close flyby around the Moon without landing. Artemis II aims to test the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft systems, paving the way for future lunar landings under the Artemis program.