NASA Faces the Countdown: Artemis 2 and Crew-12 Juggle February Launch

On January 17, NASA plans to start transporting the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket for the Artemis 2 mission from the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) to launch pad 39B at the Kennedy Space Center. The journey on the Crawler-Transporter 2 will take between 8 and 10 hours, covering a distance of approximately 4 miles (6.4 km). Once set on the launch pad, engineers will conduct a series of system tests and integrations, culminating in a wet dress rehearsal and pre-launch countdown test scheduled for February 2. If all goes well, NASA aims to launch Artemis 2 in the first window, opening on February 6. Unlike the Apollo 17 mission, Artemis 2 doesn’t plan a lunar landing; instead, the crew of four astronauts will orbit the Moon and return to Earth after 10 days.

However, as NASA acknowledges, a February launch isn’t guaranteed. Fueling issues, hydrogen leaks, and ground infrastructure failures during Artemis 1 preparations delayed the launch by more than half a year. Alongside preparing for Artemis 2, NASA is gearing up for the SpaceX Crew-12 mission to the ISS following the early return of the Crew-11 crew for medical reasons. Crew-12 is slated for launch on February 15, adding extra pressure on specialists.

“This isn’t a race. We need to be certain both missions are ready for launch. We may encounter issues, and the last thing we want is to make a premature decision,” stressed Jeff Radigan, Artemis 2 flight director.

If Artemis 2 misses the February windows of 6, 7, 8, 10, and 11, NASA will consider launch options in March (6, 7, 8, 9, and 11) or April (1, 3, 4, 5, and 6).

Notably, NASA has been enhancing its safety protocols and technical reviews to prevent mishaps previously experienced during the Artemis 1 mission. These improvements aim to ensure a seamless execution of the critical phases of the Artemis 2 mission.