NASA's Artemis II Moon Mission Approaches Historic Launch

NASA's Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft have rolled to the launch pad at Kennedy Space Center, marking the final preparations for humanity's first crewed mission beyond low Earth orbit since 1972. The Artemis II mission will send four astronauts on an approximately ten-day flight around the Moon, setting the stage for eventual lunar surface landings.

The Crew

The crew includes NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, along with Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen. NASA officials have indicated the launch could occur as early as February, though mission managers emphasise safety over schedule.

SpaceX Dominance Continues

SpaceX continues its dominance in launch operations, having completed 165 orbital flights in 2025, shattering its previous record. The company launched Italy's COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation satellite on the first mission of 2026, followed by regular Starlink constellation expansions.

Crew-11 Returns

The Crew-11 mission returned early in January after 167 days aboard the International Space Station, marking the first medical evacuation from the orbital laboratory. The crew completed more than 140 science experiments during their stay.

SpaceX IPO Speculation

Meanwhile, SpaceX is reportedly considering an initial public offering that could value the company at up to $1.5 trillion. The company's contracts include billions of dollars in NASA crew and cargo transport, the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope launch, and participation in President Trump's Golden Dome missile defense project.