LIVE UPDATES: NASA set for historic return to the moon with Artemis II launch

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. — Excitement is building on Florida’s Space Coast as NASA prepares to send a crew of astronauts to the moon for the first time in over 50 years.

See live updates on the Artemis II mission:

7:50 a.m. update:

Crews have started “tanking operations” to load propellant into NASA’s (SLS) Space Launch System rocket.

This marks the first major step in preparing the rocket for launch Wednesday afternoon.

Original report:

NASA is preparing to send four astronauts on a 10-day mission around the moon as the launch window for Artemis II approaches.

The mission has a two-hour launch window that opens on Wednesday at 6:24 p.m., from Launch Complex 39-B at the Kennedy Space Center.

The trajectory of the Artemis II mission will take the crew approximately 4,600 miles beyond the far side of the moon before they return to Earth.

Crowds are already starting to gather on Florida’s Space Coast as teams complete final preparations on the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft.

Operations include performing lockdowns to ensure that every system and engine is ready for the four astronauts to begin their journey.

Once these final steps are complete, all non-essential personnel will move away from the launch pad.

Space enthusiasts flock to Space Coast for Artemis II launch

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman spoke about the intensity of the preparation and the inherent dangers of lunar exploration.

Isaacman noted that the crew will travel at speeds exceeding those of any previous human spaceflight.

“We have to understand the risks that go into missions such as this,” Isaacman said. “We spend a lot of time preparing for them. We have pre-flight readiness reviews, flight readiness reviews. We do lots of testing. We do everything we can to bring risk as close to zero as we possibly can. But at some point, when you’re exploring the worlds beyond ours, there are some risks worth taking.”

Spectators have already begun claiming viewing spots across the Space Coast.

At Jetty Park in Cape Canaveral, visitors have parked RVs and campers to secure a front-row view of the liftoff.

Similar crowds have gathered at Spaceview Park in Titusville to witness the historic launch.

Jerry Stencel is among the observers waiting for the launch.

Stencel, who previously watched the Apollo missions in person, compared the upcoming event to his past experiences at the launch site.

“I was right there at the launch site when they were launching it,” Stencel said. “The Apollo, the ground shook and it’s supposed to be amazing.”

Artemis II launch forecast: Gusty winds, cloud cover could delay historic mission As crowds gather on Florida’s Space Coast for the launch of the Artemis II mission, all eyes will be on the skies. (WFTV)

The launch has also attracted younger viewers, including students from Indian Trails Middle School in Winter Springs.

Nathan, a student at the school, is attending the event to see the mission enter the history books.

“I’m most excited to like see the light and like feel the shaking of it,” Nathan said. “It’s fun to know that like that’s going to be going around the moon.”

Channel 9 will have live team coverage of the Artemis II mission all day Wednesday and throughout the journey to the moon and back.

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