NASA’s long-anticipated Artemis 2 mission — the primary crewed flight across the moon in additional than half a century — may carry off as quickly as April 1. However if you happen to’re hoping to look at it stay on-line, you may have to know when to tune in and for that, we have got you lined.
The Artemis 2 mission is at present scheduled to carry off at 6:24 p.m. EDT (2224 GMT) on April 1 aboard NASA’s highly effective Area Launch System (SLS) rocket from Pad 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Area Middle (KSC) in Florida. It can ship 4 astronauts on a roughly 10-day journey round the moon and safely again to Earth on board the Orion capsule.
Article continues below
Lego
Lego Icons NASA Artemis Area Launch System (10341)
Probably the most detailed Artemis SLS Lego set, this adult-aimed mannequin has 3,601 items and stands 28-inches (71 cm) tall. We thought “Lego has knocked it out of the park” in our full construct overview. Remember concerning the newer, extra compact and less expensive Lego Technic SLS set, solely $60, additionally ‘launches’ with some intelligent Technic shifting components.
What time is the Artemis 2 launch?
NASA is formally focusing on Wednesday (April 1) for the launch of its Artemis 2 mission, with liftoff scheduled or 6:24 p.m. EDT (2224 GMT) as we talked about above. NASA has a 2-hour window for the launch, so it may carry off anytime between 6:24 p.m. and eight:24 p.m. EDT (2224-0024 April 2 GMT).
It ought to be a good looking launch, climate allowing. If Artemis 2 launches on time, it is going to nearly 88 minutes after sundown at its Cape Canaveral launch website.
However NASA has just a few choices if dangerous climate intervenes. The area company has launch home windows obtainable day by day from April 1 to April 6, after which once more on April 30. The instances, nevertheless, do change for every day. On the backside of this web page, we’ve a chart that can assist you with these dates and instances.
Can I watch the Artemis 2 launch on-line?
Sure, you can watch the Artemis 2 launch on-line. On April 1, NASA could have two main livestreams so that you can watch. You can watch all of them right here and on Area.com and our VideoFromSpace Youtube Channel.
NASA is also providing simulcasts on Netflix, Amazon Prime, and different streaming providers, in addition to by itself web site and NASA+ streaming service, and YouTube.
This is what to anticipate on launch day.
Wednesday, April 1 – Artemis 2 Launch Day livestreams
- 7:45 a.m. EDT (1145 GMT): Fueling protection of the SLS rocket with NASA commentary
- 12:50 p.m. EDT (1650 GMT): NASA full Artemis 2 launch countdown protection till liftoff.
- ~ 2.5 hours after liftoff (between 9/11 p.m. ET): NASA post-launch press convention.
So viewers will be capable to observe the ultimate countdown, hear stay commentary from mission specialists and watch real-time views of the SLS rocket on the pad. As with other major launches, NASA is offering live views of the Artemis 2 stack at KSC ahead of liftoff, including a 24/7 livestream from the launch pad during key phases of prelaunch preparations.
In the days leading up to launch, NASA will also offer a series of press conferences and updates for the mission. Here’s what to expect.
Sunday, March 29
- 11:30 a.m. EDT (1530 GMT): Artemis 2 astronauts speak in virtual press conference with reporters.
- 2 p.m. EDT (1800 GMT): NASA Artemis 2 status update press conference.
Monday, March 30
- 5 p.m. EDT (2100 GMT): NASA Artemis 2 mission management team press conference.
Tuesday, March 31
- 1 p.m. EDT (1700 GMT): NASA Artemis 2 prelaunch press confernce.
How long is the Artemis 2 moon mission?
Artemis 2 is a 10-day critical test flight for NASA’s broader Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the moon and establish a long-term presence there as a stepping stone toward future missions to Mars.
Artemis 2 will send its crew on a free-return trajectory around the moon. This flight path allows Orion spacecraft to loop behind the moon and use gravity to naturally guide the spacecraft back to Earth, while giving the astronauts an opportunity to test life-support systems, navigation, communications and deep-space operations. If all goes to plan, the first Artemis crewed lunar landing will occur in 2028, on the Artemis 4 mission.
The flight will spend a couple of days in orbit, take about four days to reach the moon and another four days to return.
Following liftoff, the SLS rocket will place Orion into Earth orbit before the capsule performs a burn that sends the spacecraft toward the moon. During the journey, the crew will conduct a series of checkouts and demonstrations designed to validate Orion’s systems for future lunar landing missions.
After looping around the moon, Orion will return to Earth and splash down in the Pacific Ocean, concluding NASA’s first crewed lunar mission in more than 50 years.
Who is flying on the Artemis 2 mission?
Koch will become the first woman to travel to the moon’s vicinity, Glover will be the first person of color to do so, and Hansen the first non-American.
On Sunday, March 29, Space.com will have a special report on the Artemis 2 crew, so be sure to return then for detailed biographies of the four astronauts.
What if Artemis 2 can’t launch on April 1?
While NASA is hoping to launch Artemis 2 on April 1, technical issues and bad weather could spoil the show. There is some flexibility in the launch time, but only two hours or so.
But if Artemis 2 is unable to launch on time, NASA does have some backup launch dates available. NASA officials have said Artemis 2 has launch opportunities every day between April 1 and April 6, but due to the sheer size of the SLS rocket and its fuel needs, the space agency can attempt a launch up to four times within that six-day window.
Another launch opportunity is available on April 30, but NASA is hoping not to have to wait that long to fly. The space agency has said it has other launch windows in May, June and the rest of the year, but has not yet released those windows.
Here is a look at the launch opportunities and timing for Artemis 2 as it currently stands.
|
Date |
Time (EDT) |
Time (GMT) |
Lighting (sunrise/sunset) |
Window length (minutes) |
|
April 1 |
6:24 p.m. EDT |
2224 GMT |
1.28 hours before sunset |
120 |
|
April 2 |
7:22 p.m. EDT |
2322 GMT |
0.32 hours before sunset |
120 |
|
April 3 |
8 p.m. EDT |
0000 April 4 GMT |
0.30 hours after sunset |
120 |
|
April 4 |
8:53 p.m. EDT |
0053 April 5 GMT |
1.17 hours after sunset |
120 |
|
April 5 |
9:40 p.m. EDT |
0140 April 6 GMT |
1.95 hours after sunset |
120 |
|
April 6 |
10:36 p.m. EDT |
0236 April 7 GMT |
2.87 hours after sunset |
120 |
|
April 30 |
6:06 p.m. EDT |
2206 GMT |
1.86 hours aftger sunset |
120 |
As always with spaceflight, launch timing is subject to change due to weather or technical considerations, and Space.com will provide updates on this page as new information becomes available.
