NASA holds pre-launch news conference for Artemis II moon mission

NASA began the final countdown at Cape Canaveral and held a pre-launch news conference as managers said the rocket is doing well after recent repairs.

NASA began the final countdown at Cape Canaveral for Artemis II, its planned crewed flight to the moon. Officials held a pre-launch news conference as managers reported the rocket is doing well after recent repairs. The 32-story Space Launch System rocket is scheduled to lift off Wednesday evening with four astronauts, and the Orion capsule will circle Earth before heading to the moon and back. The mission is expected to last nearly 10 days and conclude with a Pacific Ocean splashdown. Known details: - NASA began the countdown Monday and held a news conference at 1 p.m. EDT. - The 32-story Space Launch System rocket is slated to launch Wednesday evening with four astronauts aboard. - Orion will spend a day in Earth orbit, then travel to the moon for a quick turnaround and return; the flight is nearly 10 days and will end with a Pacific splashdown. - Earlier hydrogen fuel leaks and a clogged helium pressurization line delayed the mission; those issues were addressed and the rocket returned to the pad about 1½ weeks ago. - The crew includes a woman, a person of color, and a non-U.S. citizen, contrasting with Apollo-era crews from 1968–1972. Summary: This is the first planned crewed lunar launch in 53 years and is part of NASA's Artemis program. Teams reported the vehicle and schedule were in good condition and forecasters expected cooperative weather. NASA has the first six days of April to launch before standing down until the end of the month. The next scheduled event is the reported Wednesday evening liftoff.