All systems cleared for launch for NASA’s Artemis II following critical fixes to rocket

On Apr 1, 2026

By RACHEL BOWMAN, US SENIOR NEWS REPORTER and CHRIS MELORE and STACY LIBERATORE, US SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY EDITOR and KATRINA SCHOLLENBERGER, US HEAD OF LIVE NEWS

Updated: 18:36 EDT, 1 April 2026

The ten minute countdown is on for the launch of NASA‘s Artemis II mission to the moon from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

The countdown began at 4.44pm EST this afternoon with a two hour launch window starting at 6.24pm EST. Optimal weather allowed for the launch to be cleared, with backup windows scheduled through the week until April 6.

The launch was delayed earlier as engineers worked on a critical safety issue within the rocket.

Derrol Nail, a NASA commentator who is in the launch control room claimed there was a problem with the Space Launch System rocket’s flight termination system. Engineers also discovered a problem with the battery on the launch abort system, which ejects the capsule containing the astronauts away from the rocket in case of an issue during flight.

Artemis II is sending NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen on the first mission to reach the moon since 1972.

The ten-day journey will see the astronauts launch into orbit Wednesday night, and then separate their Orion spacecraft from the launch vehicle, break out of low-Earth orbit, circle the moon and then return.

The historic flight is the first step in NASA’s new multi-step to land on the moon by 2028 at the earliest.

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WATCH: Historic moment NASA’s Artemis II crew head to the launchpad

Artemis II crew declares ‘full send’ as moon launch countdown begins

Artemis II commander Reid Wiseman declared ‘Full send,’ as he and his crewmates sat atop NASA’s towering Space Launch System rocket, confirming they were ready for launch.

From mission control, Artemis II launch director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson delivered an emotional message to the crew, telling them they carried ‘the heart of this Artemis team, the daring spirit of the American people and our partners across the globe, and the hopes and dreams of this generation.’

‘Good luck. Godspeed, Artemis II. Let’s go,’ she said, following the final launch checks.

Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman shares photo with daughters before launch

Artemis II commander Reid Wiseman, 50, posted a photo with his two daughters before boarding the spaceship.

‘”Dad, we can’t leave the rocket without a .5 together!!” I love these two ladies, and I’m boarding that rocket a very proud father,’ he wrote on X.

Final countdown begins as NASA confirms Artemis II is ready for launch

NASA officials have completed the launch readiness check and has resumed the final countdown for Artemis II, starting at 10 minutes.

The new launch time is now 6.35pm ET.

CAPE CANAVERAL, FLORIDA - APRIL 01: People watch as NASA's Artemis II Space Launch System rocket carrying the Orion spacecraft prepares for launch from Launch Complex 39B at Kennedy Space Center on April 1, 2026 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The 10-day mission will take NASA astronauts Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover and Mission Specialist Christina Koch and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen around the moon and back. The astronauts are supposed to fly 230,000 miles out into space, the farthest any human has ever traveled from Earth. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Breaking:NASA reports Artemis II is clear for launch after battery issue is resolved

NASA communications offical Derrol Nail has reported that the battery temperature issue which threatened to halt the launch countdown for Artemis II has been determined to be a failure with a sensor keeping track of the battery’s temperature.

‘They have good, solid data that this is something wrong with the sensor,’ Nail said.

‘We are clear as far as that constraint is concerned.’

Launch time for Artemis II’s journey to the moon remains on track for 6.24pm ET.

NASA chief reveals plans for moon landing and lunar base after Artemis II

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman spoke briefly as Artemis II entered its final countdown Wednesday.

The space agency’s new leader revealed that Artemis II’s trip around the moon over the next ten days will be the first step in a plan that will culminate with Artemis IV landing on the lunar surface in 2028.

‘Artemis II is the open act. This is the test mission,’ Isaacman said.

‘It’s gonna set up for the subsequent missions. You’re gonna see a moon rocket launch in 2027, when we do our testing with the lander. We’re gonna go for the landing on Artemis IV in 2028, and in parallel, we’re gonna build the moon base!’

Isaacman speaks on Artemis Launch 4/1/2026 5:58p EST | (5) NASA's Artemis II Live Mission Coverage (Official Broadcast) - YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3kR2KK8TEs

RFK Jr praises ‘real food’ on Artemis II crew menu

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr praised the menu selection for the Artemis II crew.

‘I spy a lot of REAL FOOD on the Artemis II crew menu! Godspeed,’ he wrote on X.

Breaking:NASA launch team working on battery issue that could threaten final countdown

NASA communications officials Derrol Nail has reported that launch team technicians are currently troubleshooting an issue with a battery on board the rocket which had a temperature ‘out of range.’

‘Although it’s not a constraint for launch right now, it would be when that temperature is checked in side of T-minus six minutes,’ Nail said.

Currently, NASA workers are not sure if the issue is a problem with the battery itself or with the sensor which monitors its temperature.

The countdown is continuing while technicians work to determine the cause of the problem and correct it before launch time at 6.24pm ET.

liveblog Artemis 2 orion spacecraft moon mission

Anne Wilson to sing National Anthem for launch

American Christian singer Anne Wilson will perform the National Anthem for the Artemis II launch.

‘As America prepares to send astronauts around the Moon for the first time in over 50 years, her voice will help open this historic moment,’ NASA wrote on X.

Weather forecast for launch upgraded less than 60 minutes to launch

NASA weather officer Mark Burger reported that the weather at the Kennedy Space Center has improved, giving Wednesday’s launch of Artemis II a 90 percent chance of an on-time launch.

Previously, Burger had said there was an 80 percent chance of the launch window avoiding any rain that was forecasted to be in the area around Florida.

Astronauts on International Space Station watching Artemis II launch

Astronauts on the International Space Station posted on social media that they are watching the Artemis II launch.

‘Godspeed, Artemis II!’ astronaut Jessica Meir wrote on X.

Orion’s hatch is closed

The door of the Orion spacecraft is closed, marking the completion of one of the most critical steps for the Artemis II crew.

Inside the White Room at Launch Complex 39B, the controlled-access point where the astronauts entered the spacecraft, the closeout crew inspected seals, secured fasteners and verified that the hatch was airtight.

This process ensures Orion is fully pressurized and ready for flight. Once the hatch is closed and locked, the astronauts are officially sealed inside their spacecraft, marking a major milestone on the path to liftoff.