Countdown is on for Artemis II as excitement intensifies

The four Artemis II astronauts who are making history to return America to the moon are suited up and have boarded the Orion spacecraft as NASA prepares for Wednesday’s scheduled launch.

Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen “are taking their seats atop the most powerful manned rocket ever built,” said NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman on X. “They have trained for years for this moment, and now they are preparing to execute a mission that will take us back around the Moon and begin the next chapter of human space exploration.”

Koch will be the first woman, Hansen the first Canadian and Glover the first Black person to fly on a mission moon when Artemis II starts a 10-day journey to orbit the moon. NASA is practicing its deep space capabilities for future lunar landings with the ultimate goal of reaching Mars.

Weather conditions are 80% favorable when the launch window opens up at 6:24 p.m., Wednesday, officials said Tuesday afternoon.

Thousands of people on the coast are expected to be watching the sky today as excitement looms for NASA’s historic mission to the moon. Others in Orlando are making preparations to see the launch in the distance and hope the clouds don’t get in the way.

Around the country, the Artemis II countdown is underway for those following NASA’s livestream.

Several popular social media accounts jumped into the hype.

“Shooting for the moon,” the Indianapolis Motor Speedway said X.

“Slimey is suited up and ready for the moon! Sending lots of love and luck to NASA — National Aeronautics and Space Administration‘s Artemis II crew,” Sesame Street said on Facebook.

“TODAY,” the White House said on its X page. “ARTEMIS II. AROUND THE MOON FOR ALL HUMANITY.”

The King Charles III is also following the launch.

“As global space activity, exploration, and the space economy rapidly expand, His Majesty recognises the importance of stewardship and responsible governance to protect the infinite wonders of the universe,” the Royal family’s X account said.