Artemis II test flight around moon: How to watch NASA live coverage of Kennedy Space Center launch
The Artemis II test flight around the moon is scheduled for launch and NASA is covering the Kennedy Space Center event live - here’s how to watch.
Space fans will be able to watch live coverage of the upcoming Artemis II test flight around the moon, NASA has confirmed. The space agency has detailed a range of online events covering the flight, the first crewed mission under the program.
Artemis II is set to launch no earlier than 6.24pm on Wednesday (April 1), with a two-hour launch window. Due to potential weather and technical delays, the launch window runs until Monday, April 6.
The flight will launch from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, in Florida, sending astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen on a journey around the moon lasting around 10 days.
Launching on NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket, the agency will test the Orion spacecraft’s life support systems for the first time with humans aboard, helping lay the groundwork for future crewed Artemis missions.
For fans, a series of briefings, events, and 24/7 mission coverage will be on the agency’s YouTube channel and you can watch the launch, lunar flyby, and splashdown coverage on NASA+ and Amazon Prime, with timings subject to change.
Artemis II: NASA programme of events
Friday, March 27, 2.30pm: The Artemis II crew will arrive at Kennedy and answer questions from the media, alongside leaders including NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) President Lisa Campbell.
Sunday, March 29, 9.30am: The Artemis II crew members will virtually answer reporters’ questions from their quarantine facility. 2pm: NASA will hold a status update on preparations for launch with the following participants.
Monday, March 30, 5pm: Following a key mission meeting, NASA will host a news conference to provide a status update on preparations for launch.
Tuesday, March 31, 1pm: NASA will hold a prelaunch news conference on countdown status.
Wednesday, April 1, 7.45am: Coverage of tanking operations to load propellant into the SLS rocket begins, including views of the rocket and audio from a commentator. 12.50pm: NASA+ coverage of launch begins. Coverage continues on YouTube after Orion’s solar array wings deploy in space.
Around two-and-a-half hours after launch, NASA will hold a post-launch news conference after the SLS rocket’s upper stage performs a burn to send Orion and its crew to high Earth orbit. The start time is subject to change, based on the exact lift-off time.
Artemis II mission coverage
NASA’s real-time coverage will continue throughout the mission on YouTube. The agency also will provide a separate live stream of views from the Orion spacecraft, as bandwidth allows.
The agency will also provide daily mission status briefings from NASA Johnson beginning April 2, except for April 6, due to lunar flyby activities.