Current target and latest status
As of mid-2025, NASA’s Artemis 2 is targeting launch in September 2025, following the successful uncrewed Artemis 1 flight test in 2022. This target applies to the full Orion spacecraft atop the SLS rocket, from liftoff at Kennedy Space Center through Orion splashdown in the Pacific. The mission remains in late production and processing activities, with final reviews, transportation to the pad, and wet dress rehearsals shaping the path to flight. No crewed flight will occur until these steps complete without open high-priority issues.
Mission overview and purpose
Artemis 2 is the first crewed flight test of NASA’s Orion spacecraft and the Space Launch System rocket. It will send astronauts on a free-return trajectory beyond the Moon and back, validating life support, navigation, communications, and performance in deep space. The data and procedures demonstrated on Artemis 2 will directly enable the first lunar landing of astronauts since Apollo, establishing a sustained presence under the Artemis framework.
Key mission facts
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Target launch date | September 2025 | NASA public schedule, latest status reports (as of mid-2025) |
| Mission | First crewed Orion flight test | NASA Artemis campaign documentation |
| Orbit profile | Free-return trajectory beyond the Moon | NASA mission overview |
| Primary objectives | Validate life support, navigation, communications, and perform a high-energy return | NASA Artemis 2 mission objectives |
| SLS configuration | Block 1 crewed variant | SLS program baselines |
| Launch site | Kennedy Space Center, Launch Complex 39B | NASA pad assignment reports |
| Current phase | Vehicle processing and pre-launch rehearsals | NASA status updates mid-2025 |
Artemis 2 mission phases
The path to launch covers spacecraft, rocket, and crew preparations:
- Final vehicle integration and closeouts
- Transportation from Orion production to KSC and stacking on SLS
- Integrated Vehicle Fluids (IVF) replenish and topping
- Terminal Count Demonstration and pre-launch tests
- Wet Dress Rehearsal (WDR) with propellant loading and countdown exercises
- Launch commit criteria review and weather assessments
- Launch and Orion in-space operations through splashdown
Potential changes to the timeline
Official target dates reflect the current plan, but schedule risk remains due to reviews, test outcomes, and processing events. High-priority issues discovered during tests or reviews can shift Artemis 2 later. Conversely, favorable test results or processing efficiencies could maintain or slightly advance the target. NASA communicates updates through official announcements, Artemis blog posts, and mission status pages, emphasizing transparency about risks and changes.
What to watch next
Key milestones to monitor include the WDR results, launch commit review outcomes, and any vehicle or ground system findings from recent tests. Keeping an eye on NASA’s official communications will provide the most reliable indicators of whether the September 2025 target holds or adjusts. Independent experts and audit reports may also highlight factors that could affect the timeline, offering context beyond the official target.