NASA is set to livestream the launch at 12:50 p.m. ET on our YouTube channel. A live feed from the Orion capsule will also be available throughout the mission.

Wiseman shared that the crew has affectionately nicknamed their spacecraft “Integrity” to honor the principles guiding their training and teamwork.

“Honesty is fundamental,” he stated in a September interview with NBC News. “While there are times when honesty can be challenging, the original Artemis crew commits daily to embodying this value.”

Glover mentioned that the crew crafted the mission insignia to foster unity. The mission patch creatively incorporates the “A II” from “Artemis II” to represent the word “All.”

“We want everyone to join us on this mission,” he expressed. “Numerous minor differences can divide us, and if we ignore them, they can become significant. I hope this mission stands as a bridge to fill those gaps and promote unity.”

Approximately eight and a half minutes post-launch, astronauts Wiseman, Koch, Glover, and Hansen will ascend to space. The first day will focus on testing Orion’s life support systems, which include temperature regulation, air quality management, and other essential safety measures like drinking water, food, and waste systems.

On the second day, the spacecraft’s primary engine will ignite, initiating its trajectory toward the moon.

Over the next four days, astronauts will assess how effectively the Orion capsule shields against space radiation, while also practicing emergency protocols in preparation for future Artemis missions. The upcoming Artemis III flight aims to conduct advanced technology demonstrations in low Earth orbit, including docking with a secondary spacecraft designed to transport astronauts to the lunar surface. Following that, NASA is scheduled to send astronauts to the moon with the Artemis IV mission in 2028.