Hey everyone, Dushyant here from mahashree tech. If you’re anything like me, the idea of humans heading back to the Moon gets your heart racing. It’s been over 50 years since the last Apollo mission, and NASA’s Artemis program is finally picking up where we left off. But this isn’t just a nostalgia trip—it’s about building a sustainable presence on the lunar surface and paving the way to Mars. Today, I’m diving into the Artemis rocket launches, with the latest scoop on what’s happening as of early February 2026. Let’s break it down like we’re chatting over coffee.A Quick Recap: What is the Artemis Program?NASA’s Artemis program is all about returning humans to the Moon, but with a modern twist. Named after Apollo’s twin sister in Greek mythology, it’s a collaborative effort involving international partners like the European Space Agency, Japan, and Canada, plus commercial players like SpaceX and Blue Origin. The star of the show? The Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, a beast that’s taller than the Statue of Liberty and packs more thrust than the Saturn V from the Apollo days.The program kicked off with Artemis I in November 2022, an uncrewed test flight that sent the Orion spacecraft on a loop around the Moon and back. It was a nail-biter—after multiple delays due to weather and technical glitches—but when that SLS lit up the night sky at Kennedy Space Center, it was pure magic. The mission proved the hardware could handle the journey, splashing down safely after 25 days in space.

Artemis II: The First Crewed Mission and the Recent Hiccups

Fast forward to now, and all eyes are on Artemis II, the first mission to carry astronauts since Apollo 17 in 1972. This one’s a crewed flyby: four astronauts—NASA’s Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canada’s Jeremy Hansen—will strap into the Orion capsule atop the SLS and slingshot around the Moon without landing. It’s a 10-day shakedown cruise to test life support, navigation, and all the systems needed for deeper space travel.But here’s the latest buzz: As of February 3, 2026, NASA has pushed back the launch from a February window to at least March. Why? They just wrapped up a “wet dress rehearsal” at Launch Pad 39B in Florida—a full simulation where they load the rocket with super-cold liquid hydrogen and oxygen, just like on launch day. Things didn’t go perfectly smooth. Teams ran into hydrogen leaks, communication glitches, and other gremlins that cropped up after cold weather delayed the start. The astronauts were even in quarantine since late January, but now they’re out until closer to the new date. NASA’s not sweating it too much—these rehearsals are designed to catch issues early. They’re planning another one before locking in a date, with potential liftoffs on March 6, 7, 8, 9, or 11. If that slips, April’s on deck. It’s frustrating for space fans, but safety first, right? Remember, the SLS hasn’t flown since Artemis I, so ironing out kinks after three years makes sense. From what I’ve seen on X (formerly Twitter), the community’s buzzing about it. One post from a space photographer captured the vibe: “With the conclusion of the wet dress rehearsal, NASA announced that they are no longer aiming for a February launch window and are now looking at March for the earliest possible launch of Artemis II.” Photo Another highlighted the hydrogen leak issues pushing things back. It’s all part of the excitement—space is hard!

The Mighty SLS Rocket: NASA’s Heavy Lifter

At the heart of these launches is the SLS, NASA’s most powerful rocket ever. Standing 322 feet tall, it uses a core stage with four RS-25 engines (recycled from the Space Shuttle era) and two solid rocket boosters for that initial punch. On Artemis II, it’ll hurl Orion into space at speeds over 24,500 mph.

What makes it cool? It’s evolvable—future versions will be even beefier for cargo hauls. But it’s not without controversy; some say it’s pricey and old-school compared to reusable rockets like Starship. Still, for Artemis, it’s the ride that’s getting us there. Looking Ahead: Artemis III and BeyondIf Artemis II goes off without a hitch, Artemis III is next—aiming for a lunar landing near the South Pole’s Malapert massif by late 2026 or 2027. This time, astronauts will touch down using SpaceX’s Starship Human Landing System, marking the first woman and first person of color on the Moon. Then comes Artemis IV, introducing the Gateway lunar space station, a hub for ongoing missions. NASA’s vision? A “Moon to Mars” architecture with habitats, rovers, and tech to sustain long stays. It’s not just flags and footprints; it’s about mining resources, studying lunar geology, and prepping for Red Planet adventures.

Why This Matters: A New Era of Exploration

In a world full of earthly drama, Artemis reminds us of humanity’s boundless curiosity. It’s inspiring the next generation of scientists, engineers, and dreamers. Plus, with international teamwork, it’s a symbol of what we can achieve together.If you’re as pumped as I am, keep an eye on NASA’s updates—March could be the month we see humans loop the Moon again. What do you think—will they nail the launch, or more delays ahead? Drop your thoughts in the comments!Stay curious, folks.