HOUSTON—Artemis II could launch its Moon mission as early as the first week of February 2026, according to NASA official Lakiesha Hawkins on Tuesday.
Hawkins, who is the acting deputy associate administrator for Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate, and other mission leaders shared the news during a press conference at Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. However, she did not give a specific launch date.
“Right now, that window could open as early as the fifth of February,” she said, adding that it would still be determined upon how they progress with necessary preparations.
Once that first launch window opens, she explained, there will be “launch periods” Artemis II can take advantage of each month, lasting four to eight days depending on the Moon’s position in relation to the Earth. There is also a chance that it would be an evening launch….