NASA has set April 1 at 6:24 PM ET as the next launch date for Artemis II, its first crewed lunar mission since the 1970s. The mission will carry four astronauts around the Moon and back to Earth aboard the Orion spacecraft. If the April 1 attempt fails, NASA has scheduled a backup window for April 2 at 7:22 PM.

NASA acting associate administrator Lori Glaze said the agency anticipates about four launch opportunities between April 1 and 6. The agency plans to roll the rocket back to the launch pad on March 19 for final preparations. However, Glaze warned that additional setbacks could occur as teams complete remaining work at the Vehicle Assembly Building and launch pad.

Artemis II has faced multiple delays, including a February launch postponement after testing issues and a helium flow blockage discovered in March. These setbacks come amid Administrator Jared Isaacman's overhaul of the Artemis program, which now pushes the Moon landing to 2028. The 10-day mission represents a critical step toward NASA's long-term goal of returning humans to the lunar surface.