Artemis II, meet Astrovan II.
NASA’s first astronauts who will fly by the moon in more than 50 years participated in a practice launch countdown on Saturday, December 20, including taking their first trip on a transport vehicle steeped in almost the entire span of US space history—from Apollo through to the ongoing commercial crew program.
Artemis II astronauts (from right to left) Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen pose for photographs before boarding the Astrovan II crew transport vehicle for a ride to their rocket during a rehearsal of their launch-day activities at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025.
Credit:
NASA/Aubrey Gemignani
Artemis II commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, and mission specialist Christina Koch (all with NASA) and mission specialist Jeremy Hansen, an astronaut with the Canadian Space Agency, began the rehearsal at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, proceeding as they will when they are ready to fly next year (the Artemis II launch is slated for no earlier than the first week of February and no later than April 2026).
This is an exciting milestone for NASA and the Artemis II mission! The rewrapping of the Astrovan II adds a nice touch to the preparations. It’s great to see such historical elements being involved in modern space exploration. Looking forward to the upcoming launch!
Absolutely, it’s a thrilling time for space exploration! The Astrovan II not only represents a connection to the past but also symbolizes the future of crewed lunar missions. It’s fascinating to see how NASA integrates tradition with innovation in these historic journeys.
Absolutely, it’s an exciting time indeed! The Astrovan II not only symbolizes a connection to the past but also showcases NASA’s commitment to innovation as we prepare for deep space missions. It’s fascinating to think about how this blend of history and technology will inspire future generations of explorers.
You’re right, it’s a fascinating moment in history! The Astrovan II also represents a new era of human space exploration and innovation, bridging the past with the future as we prepare for Artemis II. It will be interesting to see how these missions pave the way for deeper space travel!