Key PointsNASA has begun moving its Artemis II rocket to the launch pad at Kennedy Space Center ahead of a historic crewed lunar mission.The launch will mark humanity’s first trip around the Moon in more than five decades.Dateline: Cape Canaveral, United States | January 17, 2026 What Happened NASA took a major step toward its next human lunar mission on Saturday as the Space Launch System rocket began its slow journey toward final launch preparations.The rollout marks a critical milestone in the Artemis program. NASA has begun moving its Artemis II rocket to the launch pad at Kennedy Space Center ahead of a historic crewed lunar mission. The launch will mark humanity’s first trip around the Moon in more than five decades. Dateline: Cape Canaveral, United States | January 17, 2026 What Happened NASA took a major step toward its next human lunar mission on Saturday as the Space Launch System rocket began its slow journey toward final launch preparations. The rollout marks a critical milestone in the Artemis program. Engineers carefully guided the massive rocket and Orion spacecraft from the Vehicle Assembly Building to the launch complex. The move signals that mission hardware is entering its final testing phase. The launch window for Artemis II opens on February 6, pending weather and system checks. The mission will send four astronauts on a ten-day journey around the Moon and back to Earth. This will be the first crewed lunar flight since Apollo 17 in 1972. Where It Happened The rollout took place at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a site steeped in human spaceflight history. The journey to the nasa artemis ii launch pad covered roughly four miles. NASA used its crawler-transporter 2 vehicle to move the rocket at a top speed of about one mile per hour. The slow pace protects sensitive hardware and ensures precise alignment once the rocket reaches the pad. The trip can take up to twelve hours from start to finish. Once parked, teams will begin final checks at Launch Complex 39B, the same historic pad used for Apollo and Space Shuttle missions. Official Confirmation NASA confirmed the rollout in a statement Saturday morning. The agency said engineers will now prepare the rocket for a full rehearsal test, including fueling procedures. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman described the moment as a fulfillment of a long-standing commitment. “This mission delivers on a promise to return humans to the Moon,” he said during a press briefing. “It also prepares us for what comes next.” Isaacman emphasized that the Moon offers an ideal testing ground for new spacecraft systems. He highlighted the importance of autonomy and advanced onboard technologies. NASA officials stressed that safety reviews remain ongoing. Final launch approval will depend on data gathered during upcoming tests. Why It Matters The rollout to the nasa artemis ii launch pad represents more than a logistical step. It signals the return of human deep-space exploration. Artemis II will validate systems required for future lunar landings and eventual missions to Mars. The mission will test life support, navigation, communications, and heat shield performance in deep space. NASA views the Moon as a proving ground. Lessons learned there will guide longer missions farther from Earth. The mission also strengthens international cooperation. Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen will become the first non-American to fly to the Moon. Public interest in space exploration has surged as Artemis progresses. NASA leaders say sustained lunar missions could open economic and scientific opportunities. What Happens Next After arriving at the nasa artemis ii launch pad, engineers will conduct a comprehensive countdown rehearsal. This includes loading propellants into the rocket and simulating launch operations. If tests go as planned, NASA will proceed toward launch readiness reviews. The Artemis II crew includes Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, Mission Specialist Christina Koch, and CSA astronaut Jeremy Hansen. Once launched, the Orion spacecraft will loop around the Moon without landing. After completing its trajectory, Orion will return to Earth and splash down in the Pacific Ocean. The US Navy will assist with recovery operations. NASA plans to follow Artemis II with Artemis III, which aims to land astronauts on the lunar surface later this decade. Conclusion The rollout to the nasa artemis ii launch pad marks a turning point in modern space exploration. More than fifty years after the last Apollo mission, NASA is preparing to send humans beyond low Earth orbit again. The Artemis II mission bridges past achievements and future ambitions. As final tests approach, the world watches closely. The next chapter of lunar exploration is no longer theoretical. It is rolling toward the launch pad, one careful mile at a time. Tags – nasa artemis launch, nasa, artemis, space, Artemis II, KennedySpaceCenter, MoonMission , SpaceLaunch, ArtemisII More related stories business Hands Off Greenland Protests Draw Thousands in Denmark Trump Greenland Tariff Threat Escalates With New Trade Warning Francescas Stores Closing as Liquidation Looms Nationwide RKLB Stock Attracts Heavy Institutional Buying as Rocket Lab Momentum Builds VZ Stock Falls as Verizon Network Outage Puts Telecom Giant in Focus Post navigation Hands Off Greenland Protests Draw Thousands in Denmark Europe Won’t Be Blackmailed as Denmark Pushes Back on Trump Greenland Threat