NASA’s Artemis 2 mission astronauts have successfully completed a nighttime rehearsal for their upcoming lunar launch, enhancing preparations for a historic journey around the moon. The mission, scheduled for liftoff between February and April 2026, marks the first crewed flight of the Orion capsule and the Space Launch System (SLS). Onboard will be NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, along with Jeremy Hansen from the Canadian Space Agency.
The Artemis 2 crew participated in a comprehensive dress rehearsal at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida, focusing on emergency procedures and launch protocols. Over two nights, they practiced various scenarios while wearing their spacesuits, including emergency egress procedures at the launch tower and the surrounding areas.
Nighttime Procedures and Emergency Protocols
During the rehearsal, the astronauts familiarized themselves with the launch complex, which includes Launch Complex-39B (LC-39B) and the nearby Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). The exercises involved a simulated launch scrub sequence, where the crew traveled approximately 9 miles (14.5 kilometers) from the Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building to LC-39B and back. This exercise aimed to evaluate routes, communications, and timing for launch day.
The crew also practiced emergency egress protocols within the VAB’s High Bay 3, where the SLS rocket is currently being assembled. In the event of a launch day emergency, the astronauts must exit the Orion capsule or the launch tower swiftly. To facilitate this, they would use cable trolley baskets mounted on the mobile launch platform (MLP) to reach safety.
In a practical demonstration, the astronauts donned their spacesuits and ascended the MLP tower to the White Room, the area leading to Orion’s hatch. There, they practiced entering and exiting the emergency egress baskets, which would transport them to safety during an actual emergency.
Preparation for Historic Lunar Mission
The recent nighttime rehearsal mirrors a similar daytime run-through completed in 2023. Since then, delays have pushed the mission’s timeline from its original target in 2024 to the current no earlier than (NET) date of February 2026, with April now seen as a more likely timeframe for launch.
NASA has released highlights of the recent launch day simulation, showcasing the crew’s movements from suit-up to ascent and descent during emergency procedures. The complete video of this simulation is available for public viewing.
NASA’s Artemis program aims to return humans to the lunar surface for the first time since the Apollo missions ended over 50 years ago. Following Artemis 2, the Artemis 3 mission is scheduled for no earlier than 2027 and will mark the first lunar landing of astronauts since the Apollo era. For this mission, NASA has selected SpaceX’s Starship as the lunar lander, although development issues with Starship may affect the overall timeline.
As preparations continue for Artemis 2, the commitment to ensuring astronaut safety and mission success remains paramount. The recent rehearsal exemplifies the rigorous training and planning involved in modern space exploration.
