NASA’s Artemis II rollout to Launch Pad 39B at Kennedy Space Center: Date, time and how to watch

NASA's Artemis II mission's awaited rollout is set to begin. The SLS (Space Launch System) rocket and the Orion spacecraft’s deployment to Launch Pad 39B are expected to commence today, on March 19, 2026, at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, as per NASA. This follows the recent closeout operation of the rocket inside the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB), completing earlier than expected, aptly positioning the mission for a potential launch on April 1. This mission marks the first crewed lunar flyby since the Apollo days, symbolizing a historical feat for the space agency. 

Rollout Date and Time

Engineers are targeting the rollout to commence at 8 p.m. EDT this evening, when the 322-foot SLS rocket and the Orion capsule will be carried atop the Crawler-Transporter-2 and complete their 12-hour journey across the 4 miles between the VAB and the launchpad. The transporter will carry this 11-million-pound stack, including the mobile launcher, moving at a speed of about 1 mph. The rollout time can change depending on the weather and the time needed for technical preparation.

Watch the Artemis II rollout live

NASA will be livestreaming this 12-hour-long rollout journey, which will be available on their YouTube channel, NASA+, and other streaming platforms. This live feed will provide continuous views of the Artemis II Moon rocket rollout from the stunning Kennedy Space Center. People can also buy tickets to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex and witness this event live in front of their eyes. 

The Artemis II crew

The Artemis II astronauts have also started their preparation for the mission, entering quarantine at 5 p.m. CDT on Wednesday, 18 March, in Houston. The four-person crew, comprising Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, along with Jeremy Hansen, will be limiting their exposure to the outside world during this period. This is to ensure that they stay at the top of their health before the launch of the Artemis II mission. Five days before the launch, they will be transported to the Kennedy Space Center, where they will continue their quarantine till the launch date.

NASA will be hoping all goes well this time around, especially considering the delays that the mission has already faced till now. The launch opportunities in April span the first six days of the month, with an additional window on the 30th.

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