NASA’s Artemis II SLS (Space Launch System) rocket is getting ready to send four astronauts from Earth on a journey around the Moon in 2026. Engineers have

HOUSTON, Texas — Nearly three years after unmanned Artemis I ascended, NASA told us Artemis II is back on track after several delays. "The agency has made a commitment to launch no later than April of '26 and we intend to keep that commitment," said Lakiesha Hawkins, NASA Acting Deputy Associate Administrator, during a news conference on Tuesday.

They will launch on NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and follow a “free-return” trajectory, flying more than 5,000 nautical miles (9,260 km) beyond the Moon before returning to Earth without entering lunar orbit or landing.

NASA announced that it has selected Blue Origin to bring its VIPER rover to the moon, over a year after the project was scrapped.

The launch of Artemis 2 was postponed from this year to 2026 after Artemis 1 Orion capsule's heat shield got charred more severely than expected during its journey back to Earth's atmosphere.

NASA has selected Blue Origin to help get VIPER, the Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover, to the moon by awarding Jeff Bezos' company a task order under its Commercial Lunar Payload Services program.

Officials expect NASA’s satellites to be in position and operational by the beginning of next year, and NOAA's spacecraft by spring. NASA is kicking in more than $879 million for its two missions, while NOAA’s share is $693 million.