{"id":349377,"date":"2026-01-15T08:26:49","date_gmt":"2026-01-14T22:26:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?guid=6eadaeefa4b899de982bbadaa0745bf9"},"modified":"2026-01-15T08:26:49","modified_gmt":"2026-01-14T22:26:49","slug":"coverage-briefing-set-for-nasas-artemis-ii-moon-rocket-roll-to-pad","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=349377","title":{"rendered":"Coverage, Briefing Set for NASA\u2019s Artemis II Moon Rocket Roll to Pad"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\">\n<div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\">\n<div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-fit \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/artemisii.jpg\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1380\" height=\"2048\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/artemisii.jpg?w=1380\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"Photo of NASA&#039;s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket inside the Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy Space Center.\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"eager\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/artemisii.jpg 5406w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/artemisii.jpg?resize=202,300 202w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/artemisii.jpg?resize=768,1139 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/artemisii.jpg?resize=690,1024 690w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/artemisii.jpg?resize=1035,1536 1035w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/artemisii.jpg?resize=1380,2048 1380w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/artemisii.jpg?resize=270,400 270w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/artemisii.jpg?resize=404,600 404w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/artemisii.jpg?resize=607,900 607w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/artemisii.jpg?resize=809,1200 809w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/artemisii.jpg?resize=1348,2000 1348w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1380px) 100vw, 1380px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">NASA\u2019s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket is seen inside High Bay 3 of the Vehicle Assembly Building as teams await the arrival of Artemis II crewmembers to board their Orion spacecraft on top of the rocket as part of the Artemis II countdown demonstration test, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, at NASA\u2019s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-credits\">Credit: NASA\/Joel Kowsky<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>NASA\u2019s integrated SLS (Space Launch System) rocket and Orion spacecraft for the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/mission\/artemis-ii\/\">Artemis II<\/a> mission is inching closer to launch \u2013 literally.<\/p>\n<p>The agency is targeting no earlier than 7 a.m. EST, Saturday, Jan. 17, to begin the multi-hour trek from the Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Pad 39B at NASA\u2019s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.<\/p>\n<p>A pre rollout mission news conference, live feed of rollout, and a media gaggle will stream on NASA\u2019s\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@NASA\/streams\" rel=\"noopener\">YouTube<\/a> channel. Individual streams for each of these events will be available from that page. Learn how to\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/ways-to-watch\/\"  rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">stream NASA content<\/a>\u00a0through a variety of online platforms, including social media.<\/p>\n<p>The time of rollout is subject to change if additional time is needed for technical preparations or weather.<\/p>\n<p>All times are Eastern. Events are as follows:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Friday, Jan. 16:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>12 p.m.: Artemis II Rollout, Mission Overview News Conference<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>John Honeycutt, Artemis II mission management team chair<\/li>\n<li>Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, Artemis launch director, Exploration Ground Systems<\/li>\n<li>Jeff Radigan, Artemis II lead flight director, Flight Operations Directorate<\/li>\n<li>Lili Villarreal, landing and recovery director, Exploration Ground Systems<\/li>\n<li>Jacob Bleacher, chief exploration scientist, Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Saturday, Jan. 17:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>7 a.m.: Rollout, Artemis II Live Views from Kennedy Space Center feed begins<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>9 a.m.: Artemis II Crew Rollout Media Event<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman and the Artemis II crew, including NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, will answer questions about their preparations and the mission for media in-person at the countdown clock.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>NASA\u2019s crawler-transporter 2 will carry the 11-million-pound stack at about one mile per hour along the four-mile route from the Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Pad 39B, on a journey that will take up to 12 hours.<\/p>\n<p>To participate in the news conference by telephone, media must RSVP no later than two hours before the start to:&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:ksc-newsroom@mail.nasa.gov\"  rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ksc-newsroom@mail.nasa.gov<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>These events will be open in-person only to media previously credentialed for launch. The deadline has passed for in-person accreditation for Artemis II events at Kennedy.<\/p>\n<p>Rollout to the pad marks another milestone leading up to the Artemis II mission. In the coming weeks, NASA will complete final preparations of the rocket and, if needed, rollback SLS and Orion to the Vehicle Assembly Building for additional work. While the Artemis II launch window opens as early as Friday, Feb. 6, the mission management team will assess flight readiness after the wet dress rehearsal across the spacecraft, launch infrastructure, and the crew and operations teams before selecting a launch date.<\/p>\n<p>Follow NASA\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/blogs\/artemis\/\">Artemis blog<\/a> for mission updates.<\/p>\n<p>Through Artemis, NASA will send astronauts to explore the Moon for scientific discovery, economic benefits, and to build the foundation for the first crewed missions to Mars.<\/p>\n<p>Learn more about Artemis at:<\/p>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/artemis\"><strong>https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/artemis<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">-end-<\/p>\n<p>Rachel Kraft \/ Lauren Low<br \/>Headquarters, Washington<br \/>202-358-1600<br \/><a href=\"mailto:rachel.h.kraft@nasa.gov\">rachel.h.kraft@nasa.gov<\/a> \/ <a href=\"mailto:lauren.e.low@nasa.gov\">lauren.e.low@nasa.gov<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Tiffany Fairley<br \/>Kennedy Space Center, Fla.<br \/>321-867-2468<br \/><a href=\"mailto:Tiffany.l.fairley@nasa.gov\">tiffany.l.fairley@nasa.gov<\/a><\/p>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"nasa-gb-align-full width-full maxw-full padding-x-3 padding-y-0 article_a hds-module hds-module-full alignfull wp-block-nasa-blocks-credits-and-details\">\n<section class=\"padding-x-0 padding-top-5 padding-bottom-2 desktop:padding-top-7 desktop:padding-bottom-9\">\n<div class=\"grid-row grid-container maxw-widescreen padding-0\">\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-2 padding-right-4 margin-bottom-5 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n<div class=\"padding-top-3 border-top-1px border-color-carbon-black\">\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n<h2 class=\"heading-14\">Share<\/h2>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"padding-bottom-2\">\n<ul class=\"social-icons social-icons-round\">\n<li class=\"social-icon social-icon-x\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a 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2.48-2.5s2.48 1.12 2.48 2.5zm.02 4.5h-5v16h5v-16zm7.982 0h-4.968v16h4.969v-8.399c0-4.67 6.029-5.052 6.029 0v8.399h4.988v-10.131c0-7.88-8.922-7.593-11.018-3.714v-2.155z\"\/><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<li class=\"social-icon social-icon-rss\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/feed\/\" aria-label=\"Subscribe to RSS feed.\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 800 800\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M493 652H392c0-134-111-244-244-244V307c189 0 345 156 345 345zm71 0c0-228-188-416-416-416V132c285 0 520 235 520 520z\"\/><circle cx=\"219\" cy=\"581\" r=\"71\"\/><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-5 padding-right-4 margin-bottom-5 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n<div class=\"padding-top-3 border-top-1px border-color-carbon-black\">\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n<h2 class=\"heading-14\">Details<\/h2>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-row margin-bottom-3\">\n<div class=\"grid-col-4\">\n<div class=\"subheading\">Last Updated<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-col-8\">Jan 14, 2026<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-row margin-bottom-3\">\n<div class=\"grid-col-4\">\n<div class=\"subheading\">Editor<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-col-8\">Jennifer M. Dooren<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-row\">\n<div class=\"grid-col-4\">\n<div class=\"subheading\">Location<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-col-8\"><a class=\"hds-location-tag-name\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/nasa-headquarters\/\"><span class=\"hds-meta-heading\">NASA Headquarters<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-5 padding-right-4 margin-bottom-5 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n<div class=\"padding-top-3 border-top-1px border-color-carbon-black \">\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n<h2 class=\"heading-14\">Related Terms<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<ul class=\"article-tags\">\n<li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/nasa-missions\/\">Missions<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/humans-in-space\/artemis\/\">Artemis<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/mission\/artemis-ii\/\">Artemis 2<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/exploration-systems-development-mission-directorate\/\">Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/section><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>NASA\u2019s integrated SLS (Space Launch System) rocket and Orion spacecraft for the Artemis II mission is inching closer to launch \u2013 literally. The agency is targeting no earlier than 7 a.m. EST, Saturday, Jan. 17, to begin the multi-hour trek from the Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Pad 39B at NASA\u2019s Kennedy Space Center in [\u2026]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[15595,15741,16163,15653],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-349377","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-artemis","category-artemis-2","category-exploration-systems-development-mission-directorate","category-missions"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/349377","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=349377"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/349377\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":349871,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/349377\/revisions\/349871"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=349377"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=349377"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=349377"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}