NASA targets November 2024 for Artemis II launch to send humans to orbit moon

Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
Photographed August 27, thunderstorms move over Artemis I at launch pad 39-B at Kennedy Space Center, Fla. After Monday's scrub due to engine-related issues, NASA will make another attempt to launch the moon-orbit test flight on Saturday with weather forecast to be 60% favorable for lift-off. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
Artemis I, NASA's Space Launch System heavy-lift rocket carrying the Orion spacecraft, sits at Launch Pad 39-B at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., on Sunday, August 28, 2022. The launch of the unmanned test flight on a moon-orbit mission is scheduled for 8:33 a.m., Monday, with NASA forecasting an 80% chance of launch. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
Taking shelter from the impending arrival of wind and rain caused by Hurricane Ian, NASA's Artemis I is rolled back to the Vehicle Assembly Building early Tuesday, September 27, 2022, at Kennedy Space Center, Fla. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
Thunderstorms move in over Artemis 1 as it sits ready for lift-off at pad 39-B at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., Friday, September 2, 2022. NASA will make a second attempt to launch the moon-orbit test flight on Saturday at 2:17pm. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
Artemis I sits at Launch Pad 39-B at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., Tuesday, August 30, 2022, after Monday's scrubbed launch. NASA is vetting launch options, possibly as early as Friday for the next attempt. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
Taking shelter from the impending arrival of wind and rain caused by Hurricane Ian, NASA's Artemis I is rolled back to the Vehicle Assembly Building early Tuesday, September 27, 2022, at Kennedy Space Center, Fla. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
Thunderstorms move in over Artemis 1 as it sits ready for lift-off at pad 39-B at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., Friday, September 2, 2022. NASA will make a second attempt to launch the moon-orbit test flight on Saturday at 2:17pm. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
NASA/Joel Kowsky
NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) rocket with the Orion spacecraft aboard is seen atop the mobile launcher as it arrives at Launch Pad 39-B, Friday, Nov. 4, 2022, at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
NASA/Joel Kowsky
Crushed river rocks are seen on the crawlerway leading to Launch Pad 39-B after crawler transporter-2 (CT-2) rolled NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) rocket with the Orion spacecraft aboard atop the mobile launcher out to the pad, Friday, Nov. 4, 2022, at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
Artemis I, NASA's Space Launch System heavy-lift rocket carrying the Orion spacecraft, sits on Launch Pad 39-B at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., on Saturday, August 27, 2022. The launch of the unmanned test flight on a moon-orbit mission is scheduled for 8:33 a.m., Monday. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
Artemis I sits at Launch Pad 39-B at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., Tuesday, August 30, 2022, as seen from nearby Canaveral National Seashore after Monday's scrubbed launch. NASA is vetting launch options, possibly as early as Friday for the next attempt. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
NASA/Joel Kowsky/(NASA/Joel Kowsky)
In this 25-second exposure a vehicle passes NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) rocket with the Orion spacecraft aboard atop the mobile launcher as it is rolled back to the Vehicle Assembly Building from Launch Pad 39B, Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022, at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. NASA made the decision to rollback based on the latest weather predictions associated with Hurricane Ian.
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
NASA staff talk with Orion program engineers in front of the Artemis II crew capsule being assembled at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., on Sunday, August 28, 2022. The capsule will carry astronauts on a mission to orbit the moon in the future. The unmanned Artemis I is scheduled to launch from KSC at 8:33 a.m., Monday. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
Visitors check out Artemis I sitting at Launch Pad 39-B at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., Tuesday, August 30, 2022, as seen from nearby Canaveral National Seashore after Monday's scrubbed launch. NASA is vetting launch options, possibly as early as Friday for the next attempt. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
An Orion program engineer sits at the of the Artemis II crew capsule being assembled at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., on Sunday, August 28, 2022. The capsule will carry astronauts on a mission to orbit the moon in the future. The unmanned Artemis I is scheduled to launch from KSC at 8:33 a.m., Monday. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
NASA's Artemis 1 lifts off from launch pad 39-B at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., carrying the Orion spacecraft on a mission to orbit the moon, early Wednesday, November 16, 2022. The Orion capsule is scheduled to splashdown in the Pacific Ocean on December 11 after 25 days in space. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
NASA/Joel Kowsky/AP
In a photo provided by NASA, NASA's Space Launch System rocket, with the Orion spacecraft aboard, is atop the mobile launcher as it rolls out of the Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Pad 39B, late Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022, at NASA's Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral, Fla. Launch of the uncrewed flight test is targeted for Nov. 14.
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
Artemis I sits at Launch Pad 39-B at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., Tuesday, August 30, 2022, after Monday's scrubbed launch. NASA is vetting launch options, possibly as early as Friday for the next attempt. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
Scott Wilson, manager of production operations for the Orion program, talks about the Artemis II crew capsule on the eve of the launch of Artemis I, NASA's Space Launch System heavy-lift rocket carrying the Orion spacecraft, at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., on Sunday, August 28, 2022. The launch of the Artemis I unmanned test flight on a moon-orbit mission is scheduled for 8:33 a.m., Monday. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
NASA/Keegan Barber/(NASA/Keegan Barber)
NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) rocket with the Orion spacecraft aboard is seen atop the mobile launcher at Launch Pad 39-B as teams configure systems for rolling back to the Vehicle Assembly Building, Monday, Sept. 26, 2022, at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. NASA made the decision to rollback based on the latest weather predictions associated with Hurricane Ian.
NASA/Keegan Barber/(NASA/Keegan Barber)
NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) rocket with the Orion spacecraft aboard is seen atop the mobile launcher as it is rolled back to the Vehicle Assembly Building from Launch Pad 39-B, Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022, at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
With flags flapping in the breeze, Artemis I sits at pad 39-B at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., Saturday, September 3, 2022, after the scrub of the second launch attempt of NASA's moon-orbit test flight. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
NASA's Artemis I sits at launch pad 39-B at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., Tuesday night, November 15, 2022, ahead of a planned early Wednesday launch. As of 10pm, a team of technicians was investigating a hydrogen leak on the launch structure that has halted fueling. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
With the countdown clock halted, Artemis I sits at pad 39-B at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., Saturday, September 3, 2022, after the scrub of the second launch attempt of NASA's moon-orbit test flight. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
Thunderstorms move in over Artemis 1 as it sits ready for lift-off at pad 39-B at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., Friday, September 2, 2022. NASA will make a second attempt to launch the moon-orbit test flight on Saturday at 2:17pm. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
Visitors check out Artemis I sitting at Launch Pad 39-B at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., Tuesday, August 30, 2022, as seen from nearby Canaveral National Seashore after Monday's scrubbed launch. NASA is vetting launch options, possibly as early as Friday for the next attempt. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
NASA/Joel Kowsky
NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) rocket with the Orion spacecraft aboard is seen atop a mobile launcher as it rolls out of the Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Pad 39-B, Friday, Nov. 4, 2022, at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
With flags flapping in the breeze, Artemis I sits at pad 39-B at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., Saturday, September 3, 2022, after the scrub of the second launch attempt of NASA's moon-orbit test flight. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
Orion program engineers talk in front of the Artemis III crew capsule being assembled at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., on Sunday, August 28, 2022. The capsule will carry astronauts on a mission to land on the moon in the future. The unmanned Artemis I is scheduled to launch from KSC at 8:33 a.m., Monday. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
Artemis I, NASA's Space Launch System heavy-lift rocket carrying the Orion spacecraft, sits on Launch Pad 39-B at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., on Saturday, August 27, 2022. The launch of the unmanned test flight on a moon-orbit mission is scheduled for 8:33 a.m., Monday. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
Storm clouds linger over Artemis I, NASA's Space Launch System heavy-lift rocket carrying the Orion spacecraft, Sunday morning as it sits at Launch Pad 39-B at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., August 28, 2022. The launch of the unmanned test flight on a moon-orbit mission is scheduled for 8:33 a.m., Monday, with NASA forecasting an 80% chance of launch. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
NASA's Artemis 1 lifts off from launch pad 39-B at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., carrying the Orion spacecraft on a mission to orbit the moon, early Wednesday, November 16, 2022. The Orion capsule is scheduled to splashdown in the Pacific Ocean on December 11 after 25 days in space. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
Photographers gather at dawn on launch day for Artemis I at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., Saturday, September 3, 2022. NASA scrubbed the second attempt to launch the moon-orbit test flight after ongoing fueling issues. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
Artemis I, NASA's Space Launch System heavy-lift rocket carrying the Orion spacecraft, sits on Launch Pad 39-B at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., on Saturday, August 27, 2022. The launch of the unmanned test flight on a moon-orbit mission is scheduled for 8:33 a.m., Monday. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
Dawn breaks over Kennedy Space Center, Fla., as the countdown clock continues to run before the launch of Artemis I was scrubbed due to reported engine issues, Monday, August 29, 2022. NASA is assessing whether they will make another attempt at launch this week for the moon-orbit mission, tentatively scheduled for Friday. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
Artemis I, NASA's Space Launch System heavy-lift rocket carrying the Orion spacecraft, sits on Launch Pad 39-B at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., on Saturday, August 27, 2022. The launch of the unmanned test flight on a moon-orbit mission is scheduled for 8:33 a.m., Monday. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
Artemis I sits at Launch Pad 39-B at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., Tuesday, August 30, 2022, after Monday's scrubbed launch. NASA is vetting launch options, possibly as early as Friday for the next attempt. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
Photographed August 27, thunderstorms move over Artemis I at launch pad 39-B at Kennedy Space Center, Fla. After Monday's scrub due to engine-related issues, NASA will make another attempt to launch the moon-orbit test flight on Saturday with weather forecast to be 60% favorable for lift-off. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
With the countdown clock still stopped at 40 minutes from Monday's scrubbed launch, Artemis I sits at Launch Pad 39-B at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., Tuesday, August 30, 2022. NASA is vetting launch options, possibly as early as Friday for the next attempt. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
Photographers set up remote cameras near Artemis I, NASA's Space Launch System heavy-lift rocket carrying the Orion spacecraft, as it sits on Launch Pad 39-B at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., on Saturday, August 27, 2022. The launch of the unmanned test flight on a moon-orbit mission is scheduled for 8:33 a.m., Monday. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
Artemis I, NASA's heavy-lift lunar rocket system, sits temporarily grounded at pad 39-B at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., Tuesday, September 6, 2022, after the scrub of the second launch attempt on Saturday. NASA managers have yet to announce a new target launch date for the moon-orbit test flight. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
NASA/Joel Kowsky
NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) rocket with the Orion spacecraft aboard is seen atop the mobile launcher as it arrives at Launch Pad 39-B, Friday, Nov. 4, 2022, at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
A visitor checks out Artemis I sitting at Launch Pad 39-B at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., Tuesday, August 30, 2022, as seen from nearby Canaveral National Seashore after Monday's scrubbed launch. NASA is vetting launch options, possibly as early as Friday for the next attempt. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
A booster of NASA's Artemis 1 appears as a white dot, left, near the moon after lifting off from launch pad 39-B at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., on a lunar orbit mission, early Wednesday, November 16, 2022. The Orion capsule is scheduled to splashdown in the Pacific Ocean on December 11 after 25 days in space. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
Artemis I sits at Launch Pad 39-B at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., at sunrise, Wednesday, August 31, 2022, as seen from nearby Canaveral National Seashore, after Monday's scrubbed launch. NASA will make another attempt to launch the moon-orbit mission on Saturday. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
NASA's Artemis 1 lifts off from launch pad 39-B at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., carrying the Orion spacecraft on a mission to orbit the moon, early Wednesday, November 16, 2022. The Orion capsule is scheduled to splashdown in the Pacific Ocean on December 11 after 25 days in space. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
Artemis I sits at Launch Pad 39-B at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., Tuesday, August 30, 2022, after Monday's scrubbed launch. NASA is vetting launch options, possibly as early as Friday for the next attempt. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
Dawn breaks over Kennedy Space Center, Fla., as the countdown clock continues to run before the launch of Artemis I was scrubbed due to reported engine issues, Monday, August 29, 2022. NASA is assessing whether they will make another attempt at launch this week for the moon-orbit mission, tentatively scheduled for Friday. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
Taking shelter from potential impact brought by Hurricane Ian, NASA's Artemis I is rolled back to the Vehicle Assembly Building early Tuesday, September 27, 2022, at Kennedy Space Center, Fla. The hurricane is forecast to strike the Florida peninsula in the next 48 hours. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
With the countdown clock stopped at T-minus 40 minutes, Artemis I sits at Launch Pad 39-B at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., after a scrubbed launch due to reported engine issues, Monday, August 29, 2022. NASA is assessing whether they will make another attempt at launch this week for the moon-orbit mission, tentatively scheduled for Friday. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
Visitors to the Launch Complex 39 Observation Gantry at Kennedy Space Center, Fla. get a good view of Artemis I, NASA's Space Launch System heavy-lift rocket carrying the Orion spacecraft, as it sits at Launch Pad 39-B on Sunday, August 28, 2022. The launch of the unmanned test flight on a moon-orbit mission is scheduled for 8:33 a.m., Monday, with NASA forecasting an 80% chance of launch. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
Dawn breaks over the media complex at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., before the launch of Artemis I was scrubbed due to reported engine issues, Monday, August 29, 2022. NASA is assessing whether they will make another attempt at launch this week for the moon-orbit mission, tentatively scheduled for Friday. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
The Artemis III Orion crew capsule being assembled at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., on Sunday, August 28, 2022. The capsule will carry astronauts on a mission to land on the moon in the future. The unmanned Artemis I is scheduled to launch from KSC at 8:33 a.m., Monday. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
With the countdown clock in a built-in hold, Artemis I sits at Launch Pad 39-B shortly before midnight at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., Sunday, August 28, 2022. The launch of the unmanned test flight on a moon-orbit mission is scheduled for 8:33 a.m., Monday. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
With the countdown clock in a built-in hold, Artemis I sits at Launch Pad 39-B shortly before midnight at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., Sunday, August 28, 2022. The launch of the unmanned test flight on a moon-orbit mission is scheduled for 8:33 a.m., Monday. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
A visitor checks out Artemis I sitting at Launch Pad 39-B at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., Tuesday, August 30, 2022, as seen from nearby Canaveral National Seashore after Monday's scrubbed launch. NASA is vetting launch options, possibly as early as Friday for the next attempt. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
Orion program engineers talk in front of the Artemis III crew capsule being assembled at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., on Sunday, August 28, 2022. The capsule will carry astronauts on a mission to land on the moon in the future. The unmanned Artemis I is scheduled to launch from KSC at 8:33 a.m., Monday. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
Taking shelter from potential impact from Hurricane Ian that is forecast to strike the Florida peninsula, NASA's Artemis I is rolled back to the Vehicle Assembly Building early Tuesday, September 27, 2022, at Kennedy Space Center, Fla. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
Thunderstorms move in over Artemis 1 as it sits ready for lift-off at pad 39-B at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., Friday, September 2, 2022. NASA will make a second attempt to launch the moon-orbit test flight on Saturday at 2:17pm. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
Artemis I, carrying the Orion spacecraft, sits at Launch Pad 39-B shortly before midnight at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., Sunday, August 28, 2022. The launch of the unmanned test flight on a moon-orbit mission is scheduled for 8:33 a.m., Monday. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
NASA
The Artemis I mission lifts off from Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39-B at 1:47 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2022.
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
The sun sets over Artemis I, NASA's heavy-lift lunar rocket system, after the scrub of the second launch attempt on Saturday, September 3, 2022, at Kennedy Space Center, Fla. NASA managers have yet to announce a new target launch date for the moon-orbit test flight. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
Artemis I sits at Launch Pad 39-B at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., at sunrise, Wednesday, August 31, 2022, as seen from nearby Canaveral National Seashore, after Monday's scrubbed launch. NASA will make another attempt to launch the moon-orbit mission on Saturday. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
NASA/Joel Kowsky
NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) rocket with the Orion spacecraft aboard is seen atop the mobile launcher as crawler transporter-2 (CT-2) begins to climb the ramp at Launch Pad 39-B, Friday, Nov. 4, 2022, at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
With Artemis I temporarily grounded at launch pad 39-B, news photographers remove remote cameras Tuesday, September 6, 2022, at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., after the scrub of the second launch attempt on Saturday. NASA managers have yet to announce a new target launch date for the moon-orbit test flight. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
Artemis I, NASA's Space Launch System heavy-lift rocket carrying the Orion spacecraft, sits on Launch Pad 39-B at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., on Saturday, August 27, 2022. The launch of the unmanned test flight on a moon-orbit mission is scheduled for 8:33 a.m., Monday. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
Artemis I sits at Launch Pad 39-B at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., at sunrise, Wednesday, August 31, 2022, as seen from nearby Canaveral National Seashore, after Monday's scrubbed launch. NASA will make another attempt to launch the moon-orbit mission on Saturday. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
Artemis I, NASA's heavy-lift lunar rocket system, sits temporarily grounded at pad 39-B at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., Tuesday, September 6, 2022, after the scrub of the second launch attempt on Saturday. NASA managers have yet to announce a new target launch date for the moon-orbit test flight. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
Visitors to the Launch Complex 39 Observation Gantry at Kennedy Space Center, Fla. get a good view of Artemis I, NASA's Space Launch System heavy-lift rocket carrying the Orion spacecraft, as it sits at Launch Pad 39-B on Sunday, August 28, 2022. The launch of the unmanned test flight on a moon-orbit mission is scheduled for 8:33 a.m., Monday, with NASA forecasting an 80% chance of launch. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Terry Renna/AP
NASA's New Moon rocket is seen at Launch Pad 39B as preparations for launch continue at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2022. This launch, scheduled for early tomorrow, is the first flight test of the Artemis program. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
With Artemis I temporarily grounded at launch pad 39-B, news photographers remove remote cameras Tuesday, September 6, 2022, at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., after the scrub of the second launch attempt on Saturday. NASA managers have yet to announce a new target launch date for the moon-orbit test flight. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
NASA/Joel Kowsky
NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) rocket with the Orion spacecraft aboard is seen atop the mobile launcher as Crawler Transporter-2 (CT-2) begins to climb the ramp at Launch Pad 39-B, Friday, Nov. 4, 2022, at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
With the countdown clock stopped at T-minus 40 minutes, Artemis I sits at Launch Pad 39-B at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., after a scrubbed launch due to reported engine issues, Monday, August 29, 2022. NASA is assessing whether they will make another attempt at launch this week for the moon-orbit mission, tentatively scheduled for Friday. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
NASA's Artemis 1 lifts off from launch pad 39-B at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., carrying the Orion spacecraft on a mission to orbit the moon, early Wednesday, November 16, 2022. The Orion capsule is scheduled to splashdown in the Pacific Ocean on December 11 after 25 days in space. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
Dawn colors the sky behind Artemis I, NASA's Space Launch System heavy-lift rocket carrying the Orion spacecraft, as it sits on Launch Pad 39-B at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., on Saturday, August 27, 2022. The launch of the unmanned test flight on a moon-orbit mission is scheduled for 8:33 a.m., Monday. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
NASA's Artemis 1 lifts off from launch pad 39-B at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., carrying the Orion spacecraft on a mission to orbit the moon, early Wednesday, November 16, 2022. The Orion capsule is scheduled to splashdown in the Pacific Ocean on December 11 after 25 days in space. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
Artemis I sits at Launch Pad 39-B at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., at sunrise, Wednesday, August 31, 2022, as seen from nearby Canaveral National Seashore, after Monday's scrubbed launch. NASA will make another attempt to launch the moon-orbit mission on Saturday. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
With flags flapping in the breeze, Artemis I sits at pad 39-B at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., Saturday, September 3, 2022, after the scrub of the second launch attempt of NASA's moon-orbit test flight. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
Artemis I, NASA's heavy-lift lunar rocket system, sits grounded at pad 39-B at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., Tuesday, September 6, 2022, after the scrub of the second launch attempt on Saturday. NASA managers have yet to announce a new target launch date for the moon-orbit test flight. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
NASA/Joel Kowsky/AP
In a photo provided by NASA, NASA's Space Launch System rocket with the Orion spacecraft aboard is seen atop the mobile launcher as the crew access arm is swung into position for rollout to Launch Pad 39B, early Friday, Nov. 4, 2022, at NASA's Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral, Fla.
NASA/Joel Kowsky/AP
NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) rocket with the Orion spacecraft aboard is seen atop the mobile launcher as it rolls out to Launch Pad 39B, Friday, Nov. 4, 2022, at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
With the countdown clock stopped at T-minus 40 minutes, Artemis I sits at Launch Pad 39-B at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., after a scrubbed launch due to reported engine issues, Monday, August 29, 2022. NASA is assessing whether they will make another attempt at launch this week for the moon-orbit mission, tentatively scheduled for Friday. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
Thunderstorms move in over Artemis 1 as it sits ready for lift-off at pad 39-B at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., Friday, September 2, 2022. NASA will make a second attempt to launch the moon-orbit test flight on Saturday at 2:17pm. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
Artemis I, NASA's Space Launch System heavy-lift rocket carrying the Orion spacecraft, sits on Launch Pad 39-B at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., on Saturday, August 27, 2022. The launch of the unmanned test flight on a moon-orbit mission is scheduled for 8:33 a.m., Monday. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
John Raoux/AP
The NASA moon rocket leaves the Vehicle Assembly Building headed to Pad 39B at Kennedy Space Center, early Friday, Nov. 4, 2022. NASA is targeting the next launch attempt of the Artemis I mission for Monday, Nov. 14, with the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket carrying the Orion spacecraft.
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
Thunderstorms move in over Artemis 1 as it sits ready for lift-off at pad 39-B at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., Friday, September 2, 2022. NASA will make a second attempt to launch the moon-orbit test flight on Saturday at 2:17pm. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
Artemis I, NASA's Space Launch System heavy-lift rocket carrying the Orion spacecraft, sits at Launch Pad 39-B at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., on Sunday, August 28, 2022. The launch of the unmanned test flight on a moon-orbit mission is scheduled for 8:33 a.m., Monday, with NASA forecasting an 80% chance of launch. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
Taking shelter from the impending arrival of wind and rain caused by Hurricane Ian, NASA's Artemis I is rolled back to the Vehicle Assembly Building early Tuesday, September 27, 2022, at Kennedy Space Center, Fla. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
John Raoux/AP
NASA's new moon rocket lifts off from Launch Pad 39B at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2022. This launch is the first flight test of the Artemis program. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
Artemis I, carrying the Orion spacecraft, sits at Launch Pad 39-B shortly before midnight at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., Sunday, August 28, 2022. The launch of the unmanned test flight on a moon-orbit mission is scheduled for 8:33 a.m., Monday. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
Thunderstorms roll in at Launch Complex 39 near Artemis I, NASA's Space Launch System heavy-lift rocket, at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., on Saturday, August 27, 2022. The launch of the unmanned test flight of Artemis on a moon-orbit mission is scheduled for 8:33 a.m., Monday. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
Artemis I, carrying the Orion spacecraft, sits at Launch Pad 39-B shortly before midnight at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., Sunday, August 28, 2022. The launch of the unmanned test flight on a moon-orbit mission is scheduled for 8:33 a.m., Monday. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
Artemis I sits at Launch Pad 39-B at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., Tuesday, August 30, 2022, after Monday's scrubbed launch. NASA is vetting launch options, possibly as early as Friday for the next attempt. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
Artemis I sits at Launch Pad 39-B at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., at sunrise, Wednesday, August 31, 2022, as seen from nearby Canaveral National Seashore, after Monday's scrubbed launch. NASA will make another attempt to launch the moon-orbit mission on Saturday. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank
Thunderstorms roll in at Launch Complex 39 near Artemis I, NASA's Space Launch System heavy-lift rocket, at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., on Saturday, August 27, 2022. The launch of the unmanned test flight of Artemis on a moon-orbit mission is scheduled for 8:33 a.m., Monday. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
With darkened skies during thunderstorms at launch pad 39-B, Artemis 1 sits ready for lift-off at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., Friday, September 2, 2022. NASA will make a second attempt to launch the moon-orbit test flight at 2:17pm on Saturday. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
Artemis I sits at Launch Pad 39-B at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., Tuesday, August 30, 2022, as seen from nearby Canaveral National Seashore after Monday's scrubbed launch. NASA is vetting launch options, possibly as early as Friday for the next attempt. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
Artemis I sits at Launch Pad 39-B at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., Tuesday, August 30, 2022, after Monday's scrubbed launch. NASA is vetting launch options, possibly as early as Friday for the next attempt. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
The sun rises behind Artemis I, NASA's heavy-lift lunar rocket system, as it sits temporarily grounded at pad 39-B at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., Tuesday, September 6, 2022, after the scrub of the second launch attempt on Saturday. NASA managers have yet to announce a new target launch date for the moon-orbit test flight. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
News photographers set remote cameras at launch pad 39-B at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., as Artemis 1 is readied for lift-off. NASA will make a second attempt to launch the moon-orbit test flight on Saturday at 2:17pm. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
Artemis I sits at Launch Pad 39-B at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., at sunrise, Wednesday, August 31, 2022, as seen from nearby Canaveral National Seashore, after Monday's scrubbed launch. NASA will make another attempt to launch the moon-orbit mission on Saturday. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
AP
FILE - This combination of photos shows the Saturn V rocket with Apollo 12's spacecraft aboard on the launch pad at the Kennedy Space Center in 1969, left, and the new moon rocket for the Artemis program with the Orion spacecraft at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., on March 18, 2022. (AP Photo, File)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
A visitor to Launch Complex 39 at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., watches the sunrise, Tuesday, September 6, 2022, after the scrub of the second launch attempt on Saturday of Artemis I, NASA's heavy-lift lunar rocket system. NASA managers have yet to announce a new target launch date for the moon-orbit test flight. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
Artemis I, NASA's Space Launch System heavy-lift rocket carrying the Orion spacecraft, sits on Launch Pad 39-B at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., on Saturday, August 27, 2022. The launch of the unmanned test flight on a moon-orbit mission is scheduled for 8:33 a.m., Monday. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
Photographed August 27, thunderstorms move over Artemis I at launch pad 39-B at Kennedy Space Center, Fla. After Monday's scrub due to engine-related issues, NASA will make another attempt to launch the moon-orbit test flight on Saturday with weather forecast to be 60% favorable for lift-off. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
Artemis I sits at Launch Pad 39-B at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., Tuesday, August 30, 2022, after Monday's scrubbed launch. NASA is vetting launch options, possibly as early as Friday for the next attempt. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
Taking shelter from the impending arrival of wind and rain caused by Hurricane Ian, NASA's Artemis I is rolled back to the Vehicle Assembly Building early Tuesday, September 27, 2022, at Kennedy Space Center, Fla. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
Artemis I, NASA's Space Launch System heavy-lift rocket carrying the Orion spacecraft, sits on Launch Pad 39-B at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., on Saturday, August 27, 2022. The launch of the unmanned test flight on a moon-orbit mission is scheduled for 8:33 a.m., Monday. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
NASA/Joel Kowsky/(NASA/Joel Kowsky)
NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) rocket with the Orion spacecraft aboard is seen atop the mobile launcher as it is rolled back to the Vehicle Assembly Building from Launch Pad 39-B, Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022, at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
With the countdown clock stopped at T-minus 40 minutes, Artemis I sits at Launch Pad 39-B at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., after a scrubbed launch due to reported engine issues, Monday, August 29, 2022. NASA is assessing whether they will make another attempt at launch this week for the moon-orbit mission, tentatively scheduled for Friday. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
NASA's Artemis 1 lifts off from launch pad 39-B at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., carrying the Orion spacecraft on a mission to orbit the moon, early Wednesday, November 16, 2022. The Orion capsule is scheduled to splashdown in the Pacific Ocean on December 11 after 25 days in space. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
NASA/Joel Kowsky/(NASA/Joel Kowsky)
NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) rocket with the Orion spacecraft aboard is seen atop the mobile launcher as it is rolled back to the Vehicle Assembly Building from Launch Pad 39B, Monday, Sept. 26, 2022, at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. NASA made the decision to rollback based on the latest weather predictions associated with Hurricane Ian.
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
Dawn breaks over Kennedy Space Center, Fla., as the countdown clock continues to run before the launch of Artemis I was scrubbed due to reported engine issues, Monday, August 29, 2022. NASA is assessing whether they will make another attempt at launch this week for the moon-orbit mission, tentatively scheduled for Friday. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Bill Ingalls/AP
FILE - A close-up view of NASA's moon rocket at Kennedy Space Center, Monday, Nov. 14, 2022, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. NASA's high-tech, automated Orion capsule is named after the constellation, among the night sky's brightest. (Bill Ingalls/NASA via AP, File)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
Thunderstorms move in over Artemis 1 as it sits ready for lift-off at pad 39-B at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., Friday, September 2, 2022. NASA will make a second attempt to launch the moon-orbit test flight on Saturday at 2:17pm. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
NASA/Joel Kowsky
NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) rocket with the Orion spacecraft aboard is seen atop the mobile launcher as it arrives at Launch Pad 39-B, Friday, Nov. 4, 2022, at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
Thunderstorms move in over Artemis 1 as it sits ready for lift-off at pad 39-B at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., Friday, September 2, 2022. NASA will make a second attempt to launch the moon-orbit test flight on Saturday, with the weather forecast currently at 60% favorable. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
In this view at launch pad 39-B on Thursday, September 1, 2022, Artemis 1 sits ready for liftoff at Kennedy Space Center, Fla. After Monday's scrub due to engine-related issues, NASA will make another attempt to launch the moon-orbit test flight on Saturday. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
With the countdown clock in a built-in hold, Artemis I sits at Launch Pad 39-B shortly before midnight at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., Sunday, August 28, 2022. The launch of the unmanned test flight on a moon-orbit mission is scheduled for 8:33 a.m., Monday. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Chris O'Meara/AP
NASA's new moon rocket lifts off from Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39-B Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2022, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
Artemis I sits at Launch Pad 39-B at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., Tuesday, August 30, 2022, as seen from nearby Canaveral National Seashore after Monday's scrubbed launch. NASA is vetting launch options, possibly as early as Friday for the next attempt. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
Artemis I is fueled for liftoff at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., before the launch getting scrubbed due to reported engine issues, Monday, August 29, 2022. The flame to the right of the rocket is vapor venting during the fueling process. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
Artemis I, NASA's heavy-lift lunar rocket system, sits temporarily grounded at pad 39-B at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., Tuesday, September 6, 2022, after the scrub of the second launch attempt on Saturday. NASA managers have yet to announce a new target launch date for the moon-orbit test flight. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
Taking shelter from the impending arrival of wind and rain caused by Hurricane Ian, NASA's Artemis I is rolled back to the Vehicle Assembly Building early Tuesday, September 27, 2022, at Kennedy Space Center, Fla. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
With camera tripods at the press site bagged for weather, Artemis I sits at pad 39-B at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., Saturday, September 3, 2022, after the scrub of the second launch attempt of NASA's moon-orbit test flight. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
Artemis I, NASA's Space Launch System heavy-lift rocket carrying the Orion spacecraft, sits on Launch Pad 39-B at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., on Saturday, August 27, 2022. The launch of the unmanned test flight on a moon-orbit mission is scheduled for 8:33 a.m., Monday. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
Thunderstorms move in over Artemis 1 as it sits ready for lift-off at pad 39-B at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., Friday, September 2, 2022. NASA will make a second attempt to launch the moon-orbit test flight on Saturday, with the weather forecast currently at 60% favorable. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
NASA's Artemis I sits at launch pad 39-B at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., Tuesday night, November 15, 2022, ahead of a planned early Wednesday launch. As of 10pm, a team of technicians was investigating a hydrogen leak on the launch structure that has halted fueling. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
The Orion capsule onboard Artemis I, NASA's heavy-lift lunar rocket system, sits temporarily grounded at pad 39-B at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., Tuesday, September 6, 2022, after the scrub of the second launch attempt on Saturday. NASA managers have yet to announce a new target launch date for the moon-orbit test flight. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
Photographed August 27, thunderstorms move over Artemis I at launch pad 39-B at Kennedy Space Center, Fla. After Monday's scrub due to engine-related issues, NASA will make another attempt to launch the moon-orbit test flight on Saturday with weather forecast to be 60% favorable for lift-off. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
John Raoux/AP
The NASA Moon rocket makes its way from the Vehicle Assembly Building headed to Pad 39B at the Kennedy Space Center, Friday, Nov. 4, 2022, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. NASA is targeting the next launch attempt of the Artemis I mission for Monday, Nov. 14 with liftoff of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket carrying the Orion spacecraft.
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
Artemis I, NASA's Space Launch System heavy-lift rocket carrying the Orion spacecraft, sits on Launch Pad 39-B at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., on Saturday, August 27, 2022. The launch of the unmanned test flight on a moon-orbit mission is scheduled for 8:33 a.m., Monday. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
Orion program engineers talk in front of the Artemis II crew capsule being assembled at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., on Sunday, August 28, 2022. The capsule will carry astronauts on a mission to orbit the moon in the future. The unmanned Artemis I is scheduled to launch from KSC at 8:33 a.m., Monday. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
The sun sets over Artemis I, NASA's heavy-lift lunar rocket system, after the scrub of the second launch attempt on Saturday, September 3, 2022, at Kennedy Space Center, Fla. NASA managers have yet to announce a new target launch date for the moon-orbit test flight. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

By Richard Tribou | rtribou@orlandosentinel.com | Orlando Sentinel

PUBLISHED: March 7, 2023 at 3:13 p.m. | UPDATED: May 8, 2023 at 9:05 a.m.

NASA mission managers said Tuesday they are targeting November 2024 for Artemis II, the mission to send four astronauts to orbit the moon but not land there.

But first, it must resolve issues from Artemis I, including an unexpected heat shield performance during the 5,000-degree reentry.

The uncrewed Artemis I flight on Nov. 16 saw the successful launch of the Space Launch System, the most powerful rocket to ever bring a payload to space. It sent the Orion capsule on a 25 1/2-day mission to orbit the moon traveling 1.4 million miles before its return to Earth on Dec. 11 coming in faster than any previous human-rated spacecraft at 24,500 mph.

Artemis II, though, looks to put humans on board the Orion capsule, and just how well the spacecraft can keep its passengers safe is at the top of NASA’s concerns.

“This is a time for our vigilance to continue,” said NASA directorate head Jim Free during a status update Tuesday. “We have heartbeats on this mission. We need to make sure that everything we’re doing, we understand the risks that we’re taking, we understand the performance of this vehicle moving forward.”

NASA Orion Program manager Howard Hu said while it fell within safety parameters, the ablative surface coating of the heat shield, meaning material meant to evaporate or melt away as it hits the atmosphere, was instead coming off in chunks.

“So part of that heating to 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit that you will encounter on a reentry up to that temperature, you’re going to see a charring of that material, a kind of what you do when you barbecue. … So that’s expected to happen. That was planned,” he said. “Some of it we’re seeing is larger, like more of little pieces that are coming off.”

He was reticent to say it was an issue that would require changes for Artemis II, but he said he wants to take all of the sensor data and work through the difference in computer models on what was expected versus what actually happened. He noted the models can only be formed on what can be simulated on Earth, and so the actual behavior during a space launch and landing just might be different.

“It may be just part of what the heat shield is, and what we would expect as we return from the moon,” he said. “So it’s very early for us to think about any potential solutions.”

So teams will continue to assess the data while moving forward on all the other moving parts of Artemis II for its target launch of late 2024.

Next up is continued testing on the Orion crew capsule and European Service Module for Artemis II, both already on-site at Kennedy Space Center. Already, avionics hardware that flew on Artemis I has been removed and reinstalled on the Artemis II capsule. Also in place are the pieces needed for humans, including hand controls, displays, life support and thermal control systems.

Hu said testing of the crew capsule and service module should both be complete with the two parts joined together and ready to go by late June.

That will be near the time the 212-foot-tall core stage for the SLS rocket gets shipped to KSC from NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans.

“The teams down there are preparing for the engine section to be joined to the rest of the four-fifths of the rocket,” said SLS Program manager John Honeycutt. “That’s the last major element of the core stage to be joined and then the four RS-25 engines will be integrated into the engine section.”

The former space shuttle program engines are combined with two solid rocket boosters to provide the SLS’s 8.8 million pounds of thrust on liftoff. Those boosters are already packaged and ready to be brought to KSC by train from Utah.

The last part of the puzzle, though, is the Mobile Launcher, which is managed by NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems. The SLS and Orion can’t be stacked for launch until the Mobile Launcher goes through more repairs it suffered from the Artemis I launch. It also must complete more testing back at KSC’s Launch Pad 39-B, including testing of the emergency escape system that needs to be in place for the astronauts.

“We did sustain a bit more damage than anticipated to the ML but we are on track making repairs so it will be ready for Artemis II. You’ve got to remember SLS was the largest rocket ever launched,” said Shawn Quinn, manager of the Exploration Ground Systems Program. “It’s very powerful.”

The plan, though, sees everything in place at KSC’s Vehicle Assembly Building by December with stacking operations in the early months of 2024 and integrated operations in June or July of summer 2024, Quinn said.

“We’re pressing ahead with putting the vehicles together, building them up while we’re looking at the data from Artemis I,” Free said. “That hasn’t changed our planned launch date.”

NASA’s standing target for Artemis II was that it would fly no earlier than May 2024, but even as Artemis I completed its mission in December, missions managers kept saying it would be more of an expected two-year turnaround. The names of the four crew to fly are expected to be announced before the summer.

Despite the time between the first two launches, Free said NASA is still on schedule to launch Artemis III by November 2025. That’s the mission that would return humans, including the first woman, to the lunar surface. But that is reliant on SpaceX to develop and certify its new Starship as the Human Landing System for that mission as well as Axiom Space to develop spacesuits that will keep them safe.

“Our plan has always been 12 months, but there are significant developments that have to occur,” Free said. “That’s just the nature of trying to land people on the moon.”

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