Artemis 2 set to launch in early March, NASA says

NASA plans to launch Artemis 2 on March 6 (early March 7 in the UK) for a roughly 10-day crewed flight around the Moon, and the date was finalised after a detailed fueling test and launch-day walkthrough.

NASA plans to launch Artemis 2 on March 6, with the flight occurring early on March 7 in the UK. The mission will carry four astronauts on about a 10-day journey around the far side of the Moon and back to Earth. The launch date was finalised after the agency completed a detailed fueling test and a launch-day walkthrough. A rehearsal in early February was cut short by a hydrogen fuel leak at the pad, and officials reported the related seal and filter issues have since been resolved. Key details: - Launch date set for March 6 (early March 7 in the UK). - Crew of four astronauts will undertake an approximately 10-day lunar flyby and return. - The date followed a detailed fueling test and launch-day walkthrough. - The Space Launch System rocket has been filled with more than 700,000 gallons of cryogenic propellant. - A first rehearsal in early February was halted by a hydrogen fuel leak; officials said seal and filter problems were addressed. Summary: The mission is described by NASA as a crewed test flight intended to help pave the way for future lunar landings. The next scheduled milestone is liftoff on March 6, followed by the planned 10-day transit around the Moon and return to Earth.