LONGUEUIL, QC, Jan. 15, 2026 /CNW/ - On January 17, at earliest, in preparation for the launch of the Artemis II mission, NASA plans to begin rolling out the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket from the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) to the launch pad at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The timing of the rollout is subject to change.

Several media events will be held to mark this key step in the mission. Only media who have already been accredited will be permitted to attend on site. Some events will be livestreamed on NASA's YouTube channel.

January 16, 2026

• 12:00 pm ET – Information session about the Artemis II mission and overview of the rollout of the SLS rocket to the launch pad

  Participants:

• • John Honeycutt, Artemis II mission management team chair
  • Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, Artemis launch director, Exploration Ground Systems
  • Jeff Radigan, Artemis II lead flight director, Flight Operations Directorate
  • Lili Villarreal, landing and recovery director, Exploration Ground Systems
  • Jacob Bleacher, chief exploration scientist, Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate

January 17, 2026 (No earlier than) – Rollout of the SLS rocket to the launch pad

• 7:00 am ET – Rollout of the SLS rocket begins
• 9:00 am ET – Media availability with the crew and NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman
  *Open to accredited media on site only.

For more information, please consult NASA's media advisory.

Artemis II is the first crewed test flight of the SLS rocket and the Orion spacecraft. Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Jeremy Hansen will make history by becoming the first Canadian to participate in a Moon exploration mission.

Media who wish to speak with a CSA expert are asked to contact the Media Relations Office.

Additional information

• Artemis II: Destination Moon
• Information kit – Artemis II mission
• Information kit – Canada's role in lunar exploration

Website: www.asc-csa.gc.ca
Follow us on social media!

SOURCE Canadian Space Agency