SuccessNational Aeronautics and Space Administration

Artemis II

Space Launch System Block 1. Launch Complex 39B, Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA.

Launch Successful

Recovery

003: Parachute Landing, Pacific Ocean, successful

1 Landed

Your Time: 22:35 UTC
UTC: 22:35 UTC
At the Pad: 22:35 UTC

Artemis II, photo by NASA — Artemis II
NASA

Mission

Human Exploration, Lunar flyby

Artemis II is the first crewed mission as part of the Artemis program. Artemis II will send a crew of 4 - 3 Americans and 1 Canadian around the moon and return them back to Earth. The mission will test the core systems of NASA's Orion spacecraft including the critical life support system, among other systems which could not be tested during Artemis I due to the lack of crew onboard.

Countdown Sequence

Planned offsets from T-0; confirmations link to their sources

Sequence Ended · Success

T−2d 01:50:00
Launch Team On Stations
Launch team arrives to stations
Planned Time Elapsed
20:45:12
T−2d 01:40:00
Countdown Start
Countdown clock begins
Planned Time Elapsed
20:55:12
T−2d 01:40:00
Prop Load Preparations
Ground systems preparations for vehicle loading
Planned Time Elapsed
20:55:12
T−1d 21:30:00
Orion Power On
Orion spacecraft powered up
Planned Time Elapsed
01:05:12
T−1d 18:20:00
Core Stage Power On
Core stage powered up
Planned Time Elapsed
04:15:12
T−1d 18:10:00
ICPS Power On
Interim cryogenic propulsion stage (ICPS) powered up
Planned Time Elapsed
04:25:12
T−1d 15:45:00
RS-25 Preparations
Final preparations of the four RS-25 engines
Planned Time Elapsed
06:50:12
T−1d 11:45:00
ICPS Power Off
Interim cryogenic propulsion stage (ICPS) powered down
Planned Time Elapsed
10:50:12
T−1d 09:30:00
Orion Batteries Charging
Charge Orion flight batteries to 100%
Planned Time Elapsed
13:05:12
T−1d 07:30:00
Core Stage Batteries Charging
Charge core stage flight batteries
Planned Time Elapsed
15:05:12
T−20:15:00
ICPS Power On
Interim cryogenic propulsion stage (ICPS) powered up
Planned Time Elapsed
02:20:12
T−15:00:00
Pad Closeout
All non-essential personnel leave the launch pad
Planned Time Elapsed
07:35:12
T−14:15:00
Rocket Cavity Inerting
Air-to-gaseous nitrogen (GN2) changeover and rocket cavity inerting
Planned Time Elapsed
08:20:12
T−13:15:00
GLS Activation
Ground launch sequencer (GLS) activation
Planned Time Elapsed
09:20:12
T−12:35:00
Built-In Hold
Built in countdown hold
Planned Time Elapsed
10:00:12
T−10:50:00
GO for Prop Load
Launch director verifies go for propellant load
Planned Time Elapsed
11:45:12
T−10:50:00
Orion Cold Soak
Orion cold soak
Planned Time Elapsed
11:45:12
T−10:40:00
Core Stage LOX Transfer Chill
Core stage LOX transfer line chilldown
Planned Time Elapsed
11:55:12
T−10:40:00
Core Stage LH2 Chill
Core stage LH2 chilldown
Planned Time Elapsed
11:55:12
T−10:25:00
Core Stage LOX Prop Chill
Core stage LOX main propulsion system chilldown
Planned Time Elapsed
12:10:12
T−09:55:00
Core Stage LH2 Slow Fill
Core stage LH2 slow fill start
Planned Time Elapsed
12:40:12
T−09:50:00
Resume T-Clock
Planned Time Elapsed
12:45:12
T−09:40:00
Core Stage LOX Slow Fill
Core stage LOX slow fill
Planned Time Elapsed
12:55:12
T−09:30:00
Core Stage LOX Fast Fill
Core stage LOX fast fill
Planned Time Elapsed
13:05:12
T−09:25:00
Core Stage LH2 Fast Fill
Core stage LH2 fast fill
Planned Time Elapsed
13:10:12
T−09:05:00
ICPS LH2 Chill
ICPS LH2 chilldown
Planned Time Elapsed
13:30:12
T−08:30:00
ICPS LH2 Fast Fill
ICPS LH2 fast fill start
Planned Time Elapsed
14:05:12
T−08:00:00
Core Stage LH2 Topping
Core stage LH2 topping
Planned Time Elapsed
14:35:12
T−07:55:00
Core Stage LH2 Replenish
Core stage LH2 replenish
Planned Time Elapsed
14:40:12
T−07:45:00
ICPS LH2 Vent & Relief Test
ICPS LH2 vent and relief test
Planned Time Elapsed
14:50:12
T−07:20:00
ICPS LH2 Topping
ICPS LH2 tank topping start
Planned Time Elapsed
15:15:12
T−07:05:00
ICPS LH2 Replenish
ICPS LH2 replenish
Planned Time Elapsed
15:30:12
T−06:40:00
ICPS LOX Prop Chill
ICPS LOX main propulsion system chilldown
Planned Time Elapsed
15:55:12
T−06:40:00
Core Stage LOX Topping
Core stage LOX topping
Planned Time Elapsed
15:55:12
T−06:40:00
Orion Comms On
Orion communications system activated (radio frequency to mission control)
Planned Time Elapsed
15:55:12
T−06:30:00
ICPS LOX Fast Fill
ICPS LOX fast fill
Planned Time Elapsed
16:05:12
T−06:10:00
Closeout Crew Assemble
Closeout crew assemble
Planned Time Elapsed
16:25:12
T−06:10:00
Stage Pad Rescue
Stage pad rescue
Planned Time Elapsed
16:25:12
T−06:05:00
Core Stage LOX Replenish
Core stage LOX replenish
Planned Time Elapsed
16:30:12
T−06:00:00
Weather Check
Check of the weather conditions for launch
Planned Time Elapsed
16:35:12
T−05:45:00
ICPS LOX Vent & Relief Test
ICPS LOX vent and relief test
Planned Time Elapsed
16:50:12
T−05:30:00
ICPS LOX Topping
ICPS LOX topping
Planned Time Elapsed
17:05:12
T−05:10:00
ICPS LOX Replenish
ICPS LOX replenish
Planned Time Elapsed
17:25:12
T−05:10:00
All Stages Replenish
All stages replenish
Planned Time Elapsed
17:25:12
T−05:10:00
Built-In Hold
Built in countdown hold
Planned Time Elapsed
17:25:12
T−05:10:00
Closeout Crew To White Room
Closeout crew to white room
Planned Time Elapsed
17:25:12
T−04:40:00
Flight Crew To Pad
Flight crew deployment to pad
Planned Time Elapsed
17:55:12
T−04:00:00
Orion Boarding
Flight crew board Orion
Planned Time Elapsed
18:35:12
T−03:40:00
Hatch Closure
Crew module hatch preps and closure
Planned Time Elapsed
18:55:12
T−03:10:00
Hatch Seal Checks
Counterbalance mechanism hatch sealpress decay checks
Planned Time Elapsed
19:25:12
T−02:20:00
Hatch Closeouts
Crew module hatch service panel install/closeouts
Planned Time Elapsed
20:15:12
T−01:40:00
LAS Hatch Closure
Launch abort system (LAS) hatch closure for flight
Planned Time Elapsed
20:55:12
T−01:10:00
TPS Scan
Launch director brief – rocket & thermal protection system scan results with the imagery console
Planned Time Elapsed
21:25:12
T−00:50:00
Test Director Briefing
Final test director briefing is held
Planned Time Elapsed
21:45:12
T−00:50:00
Pad Clear
Closeout crew departs the pad
Planned Time Elapsed
21:45:12
T−00:40:00
Built-In Hold
Built in countdown hold
Planned Time Elapsed
21:55:12
T−00:25:00
Orion Comms Transition
Transition team to Orion to Earth communication loop following final NTD briefing
Planned Time Elapsed
22:10:12
T−00:17:00
Ready Poll
Polling ready ahead of terminal count
Planned Time Elapsed
22:18:12
T−00:15:00
Visors Down
Flight crew visors down
Planned Time Elapsed
22:20:12
T−00:14:00
Short Purge
Flight crew short purge verification
Planned Time Elapsed
22:21:12
T−00:10:00
Terminal Count
Start of the terminal countdown towards launch
Planned Time Elapsed
22:25:12
T−00:08:00
Crew Access Arm Retract
Retraction of the crew access arm from the rocket
Planned Time Elapsed
22:27:12
T−00:06:00
Tank Press
Fuel tanks are pressurized to flight levels
Planned Time Elapsed
22:29:12
T−00:06:00
Orion Pyros Arm
Orion ascent pyros are armed
Planned Time Elapsed
22:29:12
T−00:06:00
Orion Internal Power
Orion set to internal power
Planned Time Elapsed
22:29:12
T−00:05:57
Core Stage LH2 Replenish End
Core stage LH2 terminate replenish
Planned Time Elapsed
22:29:15
T−00:05:20
LAS Available
LAS capability is available
Planned Time Elapsed
22:29:52
T−00:04:40
LH2 High Flow Bleed Check
GLS go for LH2 high flow bleed check
Planned Time Elapsed
22:30:32
T−00:04:30
FTS Arm
Flight termination system armed
Planned Time Elapsed
22:30:42
T−00:04:00
Core Stage APU Start
Core stage auxiliary power unit (APU) start
Planned Time Elapsed
22:31:12
T−00:04:00
Core Stage LOX Replenish End
Core stage LOX terminate replenish
Planned Time Elapsed
22:31:12
T−00:03:30
ICPS LOX Replenish End
ICPS LOX terminate replenish
Planned Time Elapsed
22:31:42
T−00:03:10
Purge Sequence 4
GLS go for purge sequence 4
Planned Time Elapsed
22:32:02
T−00:02:02
ICPS Internal Power
ICPS switches to internal battery power
Planned Time Elapsed
22:33:10
T−00:02:00
Booster Internal Power
Booster switches to internal batter power
Planned Time Elapsed
22:33:12
T−00:01:30
Core Stage Internal Power
Core stage switches to internal power
Planned Time Elapsed
22:33:42
T−00:01:20
ICPS Terminal Count
ICPS enters terminal countdown mode
Planned Time Elapsed
22:33:52
T−00:00:50
ICPS LH2 Replenish End
ICPS LH2 terminate replenish
Planned Time Elapsed
22:34:22
T−00:00:33
GO for Launch
Launch director verifies go for launch
Planned Time Elapsed
22:34:39
T−00:00:30
Core Stage Terminal Count
Core stage flight computer to automated launching sequencer
Planned Time Elapsed
22:34:42
T−00:00:12
Hydrogen Burnoff Igniters
Hydrogen burn off igniters initiated
Planned Time Elapsed
22:35:00
T−00:00:10
Core Stage Engine Start
Core stage engine start
Planned Time Elapsed
22:35:02
T−00:00:06
Ignition
Start of the engine ignition sequence
Planned Time Elapsed
22:35:06
T+00:00:00
Booster Ignition
Ignition of the solid rocket boosters.
Planned Time Elapsed
22:35:12
T+00:00:00
Liftoff
First upwards movement of the rocket
Confirmed ↗
22:35:12
T+00:00:09
Tower Clear
The launch vehicle clears the launch tower and initiates a roll/pitch maneuver
Planned Time Elapsed
22:35:21
T+00:00:56
Supersonic
Vehicle is supersonic
Planned Time Elapsed
22:36:08
T+00:01:10
Max-Q
Maximum dynamic pressure
Planned Time Elapsed
22:36:22
T+00:02:08
SRB Separation
The solid rocket boosters are separated from the launcher.
Planned Time Elapsed
22:37:20
T+00:03:18
Launch Escape Jettison
The launch escape system is no longer needed and is jettisoned.
Planned Time Elapsed
22:38:30
T+00:08:06
MECO
Cut-off of the main engine
Planned Time Elapsed
22:43:18
T+00:08:18
Stage 2 Separation
Separation of the second stage from the first
Planned Time Elapsed
22:43:30
T+00:08:28
ICPS RL10 Nozzle Extension
ICPS RL10 nozzle extension
Planned Time Elapsed
22:43:40
T+00:20:00
Orion Solar Arrays Deployment
Orion solar arrays deploy
Planned Time Elapsed
22:55:12
T+00:49:00
Perigee Raise Burn
Perigee raise burn
Planned Time Elapsed
23:24:12
T+01:47:57
Apogee Raise Burn
Apogee raise burn
Planned Time Elapsed
00:23:09
T+03:24:15
Orion Separation
Orion separates from ICPS
Planned Time Elapsed
01:59:27
T+04:35:00
Proximity Operations End
Proximity operations conclude
Planned Time Elapsed
03:10:12
T+04:52:00
Orion Separation Burn
Orion upper stage separation burn
Planned Time Elapsed
03:27:12
T+05:00:00
ICPS Disposal Burn
Disposal burn of ICPS into the Pacific Ocean
Planned Time Elapsed
03:35:12
T+05:04:00
CubeSats Deployment
CubeSats deploy
Planned Time Elapsed
03:39:12
T+13:44:00
Perigee Raise Burn
Perigee raise burn
Not Confirmed
12:19:12
T+1d 01:37:00
Translunar Injection Burn
Translunar injection burn
Not Confirmed
00:12:12
T+1d 23:25:00
Orbital Trajectory Correction Burn
Orbital trajectory correction burn
Not Confirmed
22:00:12
T+2d 00:07:00
Orbital Trajectory Correction Burn
Orbital trajectory correction burn
Not Confirmed
22:42:12
T+2d 02:05:00
Crew CPR Demo
Crew CPR demonstration
Not Confirmed
00:40:12
T+2d 05:25:00
DSN Comms Test
Communications test through Deep Space Network
Not Confirmed
04:00:12
T+3d 00:12:00
Orbital Trajectory Correction Burn
Orbital trajectory correction burn
Not Confirmed
22:47:12
T+3d 03:40:00
Lunar Flyby Imaging Plan Review
Review lunar flyby imaging plan
Not Confirmed
02:15:12
T+3d 05:45:00
Lunar Flyby Imaging Plan Review
Review lunar flyby imaging plan
Not Confirmed
04:20:12
T+3d 20:30:00
Spacesuits Demo
Rapid spacesuits donning and pressurization demonstration
Not Confirmed
19:05:12
T+4d 05:23:00
Orbital Trajectory Correction Burn
Orbital trajectory correction burn
Not Confirmed
03:58:12
T+4d 06:59:00
Orion Enters Lunar SOI
Orion enters lunar sphere of influence
Not Confirmed
05:34:12
T+4d 22:00:00
Lunar Flyby
Lunar flyby and observation begins
Not Confirmed
20:35:12
T+5d 01:23:00
Lunar Closest Approach
Closest approach to the Moon
Not Confirmed
23:58:12
T+5d 01:26:00
Max Distance To Earth
Crew reaches maximum distance from Earth for this mission
Not Confirmed
00:01:12
T+5d 19:47:00
Orion Exits Lunar SOI
Orion exits lunar sphere of influence
Not Confirmed
18:22:12
T+5d 21:10:00
Lunar Flyby Debrief
Lunar flyby science debrief
Not Confirmed
19:45:12
T+6d 04:23:00
Orbital Trajectory Correction Burn
Orbital trajectory correction burn
Not Confirmed
02:58:12
T+7d 01:50:00
Radiation Shielding Demo
Radiation shielding demonstration
Not Confirmed
00:25:12
T+7d 04:20:00
Manual Piloting Demo
Manual piloting demonstration
Not Confirmed
02:55:12
T+7d 23:15:00
Orthostatic Intolerance Garment Test
Orthostatic intolerance garment assessment
Not Confirmed
21:50:12
T+8d 02:10:00
Orthostatic Intolerance Garment Test
Orthostatic intolerance garment assessment
Not Confirmed
00:45:12
T+8d 04:33:00
Orbital Trajectory Correction Burn
Orbital trajectory correction burn
Not Confirmed
03:08:12
T+8d 20:33:00
Orbital Trajectory Correction Burn
Orbital trajectory correction burn
Not Confirmed
19:08:12
T+8d 22:30:00
Crew Entry Preparations
Crew begins working through entry checklist, including donning entry suits
Not Confirmed
21:05:12
T+9d 01:13:00
Orion Service Module Jettison
Orion crew and service module separation
Not Confirmed
23:48:12
T+9d 01:16:00
Orion Raise Burn
Orion raise burn
Not Confirmed
23:51:12
T+9d 01:33:00
Atmospheric Entry
Start of the atmospheric re-entry
Not Confirmed
00:08:12
T+9d 01:46:00
Orion Splashdown
Orion splashdown
Not Confirmed
00:21:12
T+9d 01:53:00
Orion RCS Safing
Orion crew module reaction control system safing
Not Confirmed
00:28:12
T+9d 02:01:00
Orion Power Off
Orion Final power down
Not Confirmed
00:36:12
Success
Confirmed from launch status ↗

Change Log

Detected changes and source updates

Launch success with Orion separation.
Liftoff.
New T-0.
Extending hold at T-10 minutes.
Updated launch weather.
Official Webcast by NASA has started
Updated launch weather.
T-0 is accurate to the second.
Updated launch weather, 80% GO.
Targeting April 1st.
Delayed to NET April due to upper stage helium leak issue.
Reverted back to NET March 6 EST, to be confirmed.
Moved back up to NET March 3, to be confirmed (see also https://x.com/nasaspaceflight/status/2019805496836767830.)
Delayed to NET March, to be confirmed pending additional tests.
Delayed to NET February 8 EST, to be confirmed.
Refined launch window.
Updated approximate launch time.
Added launch window.
NET February 5.
Moved up to NET February.
NET April 2026.
NET September 2025.
NET November 2024