NASA's Artemis II mission is now projected to launch as early as February 2026, moving up from its initial April schedule. This mission is a significant step in NASA's Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the moon and lay the groundwork for future crewed missions to Mars. The Artemis II mission will involve a 10-day flight around the moon, marking the first time astronauts will travel beyond low Earth orbit since the Apollo missions in 1972. The crew will utilize NASA's Space Launch System rocket and Orion capsule, which will be tested with humans for the first time. While the crew will not land on the moon, the mission is crucial for the subsequent Artemis III, which aims to achieve a lunar landing by 2027. NASA emphasizes safety as a top priority as they prepare for this historic journey.