NASA integrates SLS components for Artemis II moon mission

NASA has made significant progress on the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket for the Artemis II mission by successfully integrating the 212-foot core stage with its solid rocket boosters at the Kennedy Space Center, marking a key milestone for the agency's lunar exploration efforts. The Artemis II mission, set to launch no earlier than April 2026, will send four astronauts on a 10-day journey around the Moon, serving as a crucial test flight for future deep space exploration, including potential crewed missions to Mars. The crew comprises NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, along with Jeremy Hansen from the Canadian Space Agency. As part of the ongoing preparations, NASA is also working on the Orion spacecraft and its service module, which will provide essential life support and propulsion systems for the mission. The Artemis II mission follows the uncrewed Artemis I flight, which successfully demonstrated the SLS capacity to carry payloads into orbit. While delays have pushed the timeline, NASA aims for a launch as early as February 2026, advancing its broader goal of establishing a sustained human presence on the Moon.