NASA Artemis II Moon Mission Set for Launch, Watch Live on NBCPalmSprings.com

NASA is preparing for a major milestone in space exploration as the Artemis II mission gets ready for liftoff, marking the first time humans will travel into deep space in more than 50 years.

The launch is scheduled within a two-hour window beginning at 6:24 p.m. Eastern Time, which translates to 3:24 p.m. Pacific Time.

The mission will send four astronauts aboard the Orion spacecraft, powered by NASA’s Space Launch System rocket, on a journey around the moon. The crew includes Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen.

The countdown process includes planned holds and multiple system checks, meaning the timing can shift slightly depending on conditions. NASA teams will closely monitor fuel loading, particularly liquid hydrogen, which has caused delays in previous launch attempts due to potential leaks.

If all systems are go, the rocket will accelerate rapidly after liftoff, reaching speeds of about 500 miles per hour in just seconds. Within a few hours, the Orion capsule will separate and begin its journey, including a manual piloting demonstration by the crew.

While launches can be delayed due to weather or technical concerns, NASA remains optimistic as final preparations continue at Kennedy Space Center.

For viewers in the Coachella Valley, NBC Palm Springs will provide live coverage of the countdown and launch beginning around 3 p.m. on NBCPalmSprings.com, leading up to the targeted 3:24 p.m. liftoff.

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