NASA Preps Artemis 2 Rocket for First Moon Crew Since 1972

For the first time since the Apollo era ended in 1972, astronauts are about to journey back to the moon, and NASA is making sure every detail is perfect.

The space agency began final preparations Thursday evening for Artemis 2, a mission that will carry four astronauts around the moon. Before the crew can launch during the February 6-10 window, engineers must complete one last critical test of the massive Space Launch System rocket.

This weekend's "wet dress rehearsal" simulates everything that happens on launch day except the actual liftoff. Ground teams will power on systems and load over 700,000 gallons of super-cold liquid hydrogen and oxygen into the rocket, practicing the precise choreography required for launch.

Mission operators were called to their stations Thursday at 8:00 p.m. EST, kicking off a 49-hour countdown simulation. The mock liftoff is scheduled for Saturday evening at 9:00 p.m. EST, mirroring what will happen when the real launch takes place in February.

The 322-foot-tall rocket stands ready at Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39B, the same facility that launched Apollo missions decades ago. This time, it represents America's return to deep space exploration after half a century focused on low Earth orbit.

Why This Inspires

This mission marks more than just a return to the moon. It represents a new era of space exploration built on international cooperation and transparency, contrasting sharply with the secretive space programs of the past.

The Artemis program plans to establish a sustainable human presence on and around the moon, paving the way for future Mars missions. Unlike the Cold War space race, this effort involves partnerships with multiple countries and commercial space companies working together toward shared goals.

If the dress rehearsal goes smoothly this weekend, NASA will have the green light to proceed with launch preparations. The four Artemis 2 astronauts will then embark on a journey no human has made in over five decades, opening a new chapter in humanity's exploration of space.

A half-century wait is almost over, and the moon is calling us back home.