NASA has confirmed a major milestone for space exploration: the rollout of its Space Launch System (SLS) rocket is set for January 17, 2026. This prepares the way for the Artemis II mission, which will mark humanity’s return to the Moon’s orbit after more than 50 years. The massive rocket will travel to Launch Pad 39B in Florida for final checks.
Standing 322 feet tall, the SLS is a deep-space powerhouse capable of generating 8.8 million pounds of thrust. It will carry four astronauts on a 10-day journey around the Moon inside the Orion spacecraft. This mission is the ultimate test of human survival in high-radiation deep-space environments.
Following final “wet dress rehearsals,” NASA is targeting a launch window opening on February 6, 2026. A successful mission will pave the way for Artemis III, which aims to land astronauts on the lunar surface. The countdown to history has officially begun.
NASA Gears Up to Send Humans Back to the Moon in 2026
