Artemis II update: NASA is all set to reveal human moon mission launch plans tonight!

Artemis II SLS (Space Launch System) rocket with the Orion spacecraft. (Image: NASA)

• NASA to host Artemis II briefing at 3 p.m. EDT on March 12.
• Artemis II Moon mission expected to launch in April 2026.
• Mission will send four astronauts around the Moon for 10 days.

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NASA is on the verge of a major milestone in its quest towards the next mission to the Moon as it prepares a crucial launch readiness review for the Artemis II mission. After the assessment of the mission, the space agency will announce the launch plans and mission details at media briefing.

The announcement will take place at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. The officials will share the outcome of the review and the next steps for the mission.

At what time will NASA share the update?

NASA is set to provide an important update on its next Moon mission. This update happened after completion of a key readiness review.

The space agency will discuss the status of Artemis II during a media briefing. NASA will host a news conference at 3 p.m. EDT which is 2 p.m. according to EST on Thursday, March 12.

For viewers in India the time will be 12:30 a.m. IST on March 13. The announcement will follow a Flight Readiness Review.

When is the Artemis II launch expected?

The Artemis II mission is currently expected to launch in April 2026. Duration of this mission is 10 days. The exact date would be clarified after the readiness review. The further update will be shared in the media briefing.

When it lifts off, the mission will send four astronauts aboard the Orion spacecraft, powered by the massive Space Launch System.

Participants of NASA's media briefing

Four participants who will address media briefing for Artemis II mission:

1. Lori Glaze: The acting associate administrator, Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate

2. John Honeycutt: He is the chair of Artemis II Mission Management Team

3. Shawn Quinn: The manager of Exploration Ground Systems Program

4. Norm Knight: The director of Flight Operations Directorate

The astronauts will travel aboard NASA’s Orion spacecraft, which will be launched into space by the powerful Space Launch System.

First crewed Moon mission since the Apollo era

Artemis II is a historic mission because it will carry astronauts beyond low Earth orbit and around the Moon for the first time in more than five decades. The mission is part of NASA’s Artemis Program, which aims to return humans to the Moon and eventually prepare for future missions to Mars.