JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Today is a historical day! The first crewed mission of the Artemis program is set for launch this evening at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida.
The mission will carry four astronauts around the moon and back to Earth for the first time in over 50 years. The mission is expected to take 10 days.
You may have heard the “launch window” opens at 6:24 this evening. What exactly is a launch window and why are there several?
A launch window is the time period during which a mission has to be launched. This evening’s launch window is two hours, so from roughly 6:24 this evening through 8:24 this evening.
MORE: Live launch day updates to the minute from NASA
This window is calculated precisely using orbital mechanics, along with factoring in weather and safety. If the launch window is missed, the mission can’t proceed and will have to wait for the next predesignated launch window.
Additional launch windows have been designated for Artemis II.
| Date | Time | Duration (Minutes) |
|---|---|---|
| 04/02/2026 | 07:22:00 PM EDT | 120 |
| 04/03/2026 | 08:00:00 PM EDT | 120 |
| 04/04/2026 | 08:53:00 PM EDT | 120 |
| 04/05/2026 | 09:40:00 PM EDT | 120 |
| 04/06/2026 | 10:36:00 PM EDT | 120 |
| 04/30/2026 | 06:06:00 PM EDT | 120 |
Specific criteria must be met with regard to weather for a launch to occur.
If peak winds exceed roughly 33 mph to 44 mph, the mission will not launch.
If the flight path is within 10 miles of certain cumulus clouds, the mission will not launch.
Extreme solar activity will also prevent the mission from launching.
If lightning is detected within 10 miles of the launch site, that will also prevent a launch.
The good news is the weather forecast calls for an 80% chance of a launch. Cloud cover and wind will continue to be monitored through the rest of the afternoon up to the launch window.