NASA Is Targeting April for the First Crewed Artemis Moon Mission
After delays earlier this year, NASA is now aiming for new launch opportunities for Artemis II — the mission that will send astronauts around the Moon for the first time since Apollo 17.
Key Launch Windows (April 2026)

• April 1
• April 3
• April 4
• April 5
• April 6
• April 30
These dates are determined by orbital mechanics, allowing the spacecraft to follow the correct path for its ~10-day journey around the Moon.
Why are launch windows so limited?
For Artemis II, several conditions must align:
• Precise alignment with the Moon
• Proper lighting so astronauts can inspect the spacecraft after launch

• Correct trajectory for a safe return to Earth
Launch Site
The mission will lift off from Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39B — the same historic pad used for many Apollo program missions.
If successful, Artemis II will mark the first time humans travel beyond low-Earth orbit in over 50 years.