Artemis II launch window narrows as cold snap delays schedule

NASA said an extreme cold snap at Kennedy Space Center removed Feb. 6–7 launch opportunities for Artemis II and pushed the earliest possible liftoff to Feb. 8, with a wet dress rehearsal moved to Monday.

NASA adjusted the Artemis II timeline after forecasts showed freezing night-time temperatures at Kennedy Space Center. The expected cold led officials to cancel the Feb. 6 and 7 launch opportunities. A wet dress rehearsal was rescheduled to Monday because the weather would violate launch conditions. The four-person crew, including Canada’s Jeremy Hansen, remains in Houston under quarantine while NASA reviews arrival timing. Key facts: - An extreme cold and freeze warning for central Florida prompted the change, which NASA said would violate launch conditions. - Feb. 6 and 7 launch opportunities were removed; the earliest possible liftoff is now Feb. 8 at 11:20 p.m. EST, with alternatives on Feb. 10 or 11. - The wet dress rehearsal was moved to Monday, and that shift is what changed the earliest launch date. - The crew remains in Houston under quarantine and NASA is assessing the timeline for their arrival in Florida. Summary: The weather-related schedule change narrows February launch options and could move Artemis II to the next window in early March if the new dates are missed. The next procedural step is the wet dress rehearsal targeted for Monday. Undetermined at this time whether the mission will meet the February window.