NASA states, which makes productive preparations for the possible launch of Artemis 2 already in February of this year. During the presentation 6 January at a meeting of the Lunar Research Analysis Group (Lunar Exploration Analysis Group) acting deputy administrator for the development of research systems, She said, that the agency is targeting the launch window, which opens in early February, provided, that there will be no major problems in the coming weeks. If the mission does not happen in February, then reserve windows are available in March and April.
Several key stages remain before launch, including the removal of the Space Launch System launch vehicle and the Orion spacecraft from the Vehicle Assembly Building (Vehicle Assembly Building, VAB) to launch pad 39B. Pre-withdrawal will begin in mid-January. After arriving at the launch site, the teams will conduct pre-launch activities, in particular, SLS will be refueled with liquid hydrogen and oxygen, and the mission team will perform a training countdown.
Recent milestones for Artemis 2 include a countdown demo test, conducted at VAB 20 December 2025 year, during which four astronauts performed pre-launch procedures, entered Orion and took part in the countdown, which ended at the T-minus mark 30 seconds. In a statement from 23 December 2025 year NASA reported, that the teams overcame several challenges in real time, including audio communication and procedures for shutting down environmental control and life support systems during the test.
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, stated, that additional information will be released after withdrawal.
Source: https://spacenews.com