Artemis II: NASA prepares to launch astronauts around the moon

NASA began fueling the Space Launch System rocket this morning and the four astronauts are suiting up ahead of a planned 6:34 p.m. ET liftoff; NASA will provide live coverage starting at 12:50 p.m. ET.

NASA is preparing to launch the Artemis II crew on a mission around the moon today. Fueling of the Space Launch System rocket began at 7:44 a.m. ET. The astronauts are suiting up and will be driven to the pad several hours before liftoff. NASA plans live coverage of prelaunch and in-flight views on its YouTube channel. Key details: - Fueling of the SLS began at 7:44 a.m. ET and will include more than 700,000 gallons of cryogenic propellant. - The fueling process can take up to five hours. - The four astronauts will be driven to the launch pad roughly 4 hours and 40 minutes before liftoff and will be helped into the Orion capsule. - NASA’s live broadcast is scheduled to begin at 12:50 p.m. ET, with additional live views planned from the Orion capsule during the mission. - The countdown lists a planned liftoff time of 6:34 p.m. ET and includes built-in holds, including a pause at 40 minutes before liftoff for a final go-no-go poll. - At T-minus 10 minutes a computer will take over the automated terminal count as systems switch to internal power and the main engines prepare to ignite. Summary: Fueling and prelaunch activities are underway as teams move toward the planned 6:34 p.m. ET liftoff. NASA will provide live video beginning at 12:50 p.m. ET and intends to share views from the Orion capsule during the mission. Officials expect several built-in holds in the countdown and an automated terminal count in the final minutes.