NASA targets March 6 for Artemis 2 launch to take astronauts around the Moon

Engadget

by Kris Holt

February 20, 2026

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NASA has set a new target date for the Artemis 2 mission, aiming to launch on March 6 after overcoming technical challenges in recent tests. The agency conducted a successful wet dress rehearsal on February 23, where it fueled the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket with over 700,000 gallons of liquid propellant and completed two terminal count runs at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Despite a brief interruption due to ground communication issues, NASA switched to a backup system and resolved the problem. This marks the second attempt at a wet dress rehearsal following an initial failure in early February caused by a hydrogen leak. The latest test was deemed successful, allowing NASA to move forward with its plans. Dr. Lori Glaze, NASA's Moon to Mars program manager, confirmed the new target date during a press conference on Friday. However, she emphasized that several steps remain before launch, including an analysis of the rehearsal data, a flight-readiness review, and further work on the launch pad. The Artemis 2 mission will send four astronauts on a historic 10-day journey around the Moon, marking the first crewed mission for Orion spacecraft and the furthest human journey into space in over

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Originally published on Engadget on 2/20/2026