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Artemis successful liftoff.

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6:43 p.m.

Main engine cutoff of the SLS (Space Launch System) core stage is 
complete, and the core stage has successfully separated from the interim 
cryogenic propulsion stage and the Orion spacecraft. This marks the end of 
the first major propulsion phase of the Artemis II mission and the 
transition to upper-stage operations.

The next major milestone is the deployment of the spacecraft’s SAWs (solar 
array wings) scheduled to begin approximately 18 minutes after launch. 
Once extended, the four SAWs will provide continuous electrical power to 
the spacecraft throughout its journey, supporting life-support systems, 
avionics, communications, and onboard operations. Deployment is a critical 
step in configuring Orion for the remainder of its time in Earth orbit and 
for the outbound trip to the Moon.

6:38 p.m.

The spacecraft adapter jettison fairings that enclose the service module 
and the launch abort system have separated from the Orion spacecraft. With 
the rocket and spacecraft now flying above the densest layers of Earth’s 
atmosphere, Orion no longer requires the protective structures that 
shielded it during the early, high-dynamic-pressure portion of launch.

The next major milestone is core stage separation and Interim Cryogenic 
Propulsion Stage ignition.

6:37 p.m.

The SLS (Space Launch System) twin solid rocket boosters have separated. 
The boosters, each standing 177 feet tall and generating more than 3.6 
million pounds of thrust at liftoff, provide most of the rocket’s power 
during the first two minutes of flight and separation reduces mass and 
allows the core stage to continue propelling the Orion spacecraft, named 
Integrity, toward orbit.

With the boosters now clear, the SLS core stage remains the primary source 
of thrust.

In about one minute, the spacecraft adapter jettison fairings that enclose 
Orion’s service module and the launch abort system will separate from the 
spacecraft. 

6:35 p.m.

NASA’s Artemis II SLS (Space Launch System) rocket, with the 
Orion spacecraft atop carrying NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor 
Glover, and Christina Koch, along with CSA (Canadian Space Agency) 
astronaut Jeremy Hansen, lifted off from Kennedy Space Center’s Launch 
Complex 39B in Florida at 6:35 p.m. EDT to begin its journey to deep 
space.  

The twin solid rocket boosters ignited first, delivering more than 75% of 
the thrust needed to lift the 5.75-million-pound rocket off the pad. Their 
combined power, along with the four RS-25 engines already at full thrust, 
generated an incredible 8.8 million pounds of force at liftoff. As the 
rocket rose, the umbilicals – which provided power, fuel, and data 
connections during prelaunch – disconnected and retracted into protective 
housings. This ensured the vehicle is free from ground systems and fully 
autonomous for flight. 

The approximately 10-day Artemis II mission around the Moon is the first 
crewed flight under NASA’s Artemis campaign. It will help test the systems 
and hardware needed to continue sending astronauts on increasingly 
difficult missions to explore more of the Moon for scientific discovery, 
economic benefits, and to continue building toward the first crewed 
missions to Mars. 

Below are the ascent milestones that will occur leading up to core stage 
separation. Times may vary by several seconds. 

SLS clears launch tower; roll/pitch maneuver (Mission Elapsed Time [MET]) 
+00:00:07) 
SLS reached supersonic speed (MET +00:00:56) 
Maximum dynamic pressure (MET +00:01:12) 
Solid Rocket Booster separation (MET +00:02:09) 
Lauch abort system jettison (MET +00:03:13) 
Core stage main engine cutoff (MET +00:08:02) 
Core stage separates from interim cryogenic propulsion stage (MET 
+00:08:14) 

6:25 p.m.

The Artemis II countdown has entered terminal count, and the ground launch 
sequencer has taken control, orchestrating a precise series of automated 
commands to prepare the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket and Orion 
spacecraft for liftoff at a T-0 time of 6:35 p.m. EDT. 

https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/missions/2026/04/01/live-artemis-ii-launch-day-
updates/

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Artemis successful liftoff. Jack Ryan <noreply@remailer.cpunk.us> - 2026-04-02 02:05 +0200
  Re: Artemis successful liftoff. Yamn2 Remailer <noreply@mixmin.net> - 2026-04-02 08:50 +0100
  Re: Artemis successful liftoff. x3 <x@x.net> - 2026-04-09 15:47 -0700
    Re: Artemis successful liftoff. Niklas Holsti <niklas.holsti@tidorum.invalid> - 2026-04-10 17:43 +0300

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