# crewed lunar flight

NASA’s Artemis II Moves to Launch Pad, Signalling a Critical Push Toward Returning Humans to the Moon

NASA has moved the Artemis II SLS rocket and Orion crew capsule to Kennedy Space Center’s launch pad, entering the final and most intensive phase of pre‑launch work for the United States’ first crewed lunar mission in over 50 years. The mission — the first crewed flight for both SLS and Orion and carrying four astronauts — is scheduled no earlier than February 6 and faces significant technical and schedule risks during upcoming integrated tests.