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NASA Eyes March Launch for Artemis 2 Moon Mission
Successful fueling test clears way for next step in agency's lunar campaign
Published on Mar. 1, 2026
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NASA has successfully completed a second key fueling test for the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket that will launch the Artemis 2 mission around the moon, clearing the way for a potential liftoff as early as March 6. The Artemis 2 mission will be the first human lunar spaceflight in more than 50 years, sending three American astronauts and one Canadian astronaut on a 10-day trip around the moon to test systems and hardware for future expeditions to the lunar surface.
Why it matters
The Artemis 2 mission is a critical step in NASA's ambitious Artemis program to return humans to the moon. After the uncrewed Artemis 1 mission in 2022, Artemis 2 will be the first crewed flight, paving the way for the Artemis 3 mission to land astronauts on the lunar surface for the first time since the Apollo era.
The details
During the successful fueling test and practice countdown, NASA reported only minor issues and said any hydrogen leaks in the SLS rocket "remained under allowable limits." This is good news after the first wet dress rehearsal in early February was plagued by hydrogen leaks that delayed the mission. NASA engineers have worked to assess and fix the issues, including replacing seals and a filter in the ground support equipment.
- The earliest the Artemis 2 mission could launch is March 6.
- The first wet dress rehearsal took place on February 3.
- NASA conducted the successful second fueling test and practice countdown overnight on February 20.
The players
NASA
The U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the government agency responsible for the Artemis program and the Artemis 2 mission.
Reid Wiseman
A NASA astronaut who is part of the Artemis 2 crew.
Victor Glover
A NASA astronaut who is part of the Artemis 2 crew.
Christina Koch
A NASA astronaut who is part of the Artemis 2 crew.
Jeremy Hansen
A Canadian Space Agency astronaut who is part of the Artemis 2 crew.
What they’re saying
“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”
— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)
What’s next
The Artemis 2 astronauts are due to re-enter quarantine at the Johnson Space Center in Houston to avoid exposure to any illnesses before flying to the Kennedy Space Center a few days before the target launch date.
The takeaway
The successful completion of the second fueling test for the Artemis 2 mission is a significant milestone for NASA's Artemis program, bringing the agency one step closer to the first crewed lunar mission in over 50 years and setting the stage for future expeditions to the lunar surface.
